Executive summary
Background
The A83 is one of two east-west strategic trunk roads that connects Argyll and Bute to the central belt of Scotland, making it a vital link in the region's transportation infrastructure. The adjacent hillsides have a history of instability resulting in landslides and debris flow hazards, which have increased in recent years due to the frequency of heavy, intense periods of rainfall, leading to road closures and resultant diversion. The A83 Rest and Be Thankful scheme is being taken forward by Transport Scotland as a long-term, resilient, and sustainable solution to the problem of landslides in Glen Croe.
Public engagement
Transport Scotland is committed to engaging with stakeholders and the local community throughout the scheme. The purpose of the January 2025 public exhibitions was to provide local communities and road users the opportunity to view and comment on the draft Orders, including Compulsory Purchase Orders and Environmental Impact Assessments published on 13 December 2024 for the Long-Term Solution (LTS) and the Medium-Term Solution (MTS).
The eight-week statutory consultation period ran from 13 December 2024 to 7 February 2025 whereby representations to the draft Orders and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR), including objections could be made in writing to Transport Scotland.
The public engagement included a hybrid approach featuring five in-person events and two virtual exhibition rooms, one for the MTS and one for the LTS.
A total of 330 people attended the in-person events which were held as follows:
- Campbeltown: Wednesday 15 January 2025
- Lochgilphead: Thursday 16 January 2025
- Lochgoilhead: Friday 17 January 2025
- Dunoon: Monday 20 January 2025
- Arrochar: Tuesday 21 January 2025
The in-person events included information boards which explained details of the MTS and LTS schemes. There were 11 information boards for the LTS scheme and 9 for the MTS scheme. A three-dimensional visualisation for each scheme was also available to view. The events were promoted via adverts in local newspapers, social media posts using Transport Scotland social media channels, poster distribution to the event locations, community buildings and local shops, the online A83 Story Map, Transport Scotland website and by email via the scheme specific email address A83@WSP.com.
The virtual exhibition rooms were live from 13 December 2024 and received 1,865 unique (first time) views up until they closed on 10 February 2025.
Representations
No written feedback was sought on the information displayed. Instead, in accordance with the statutory process, stakeholders and members of the public were able to make formal representations (including objections) to Transport Scotland directly on either the MTS scheme, LTS scheme or both during the eight-week formal statutory consultation period.