Work is continuing on a major road improvements project in Argyll and Bute.

Transport Scotland is progressing with maintenance and landslide mitigation work on the A83 road and a number of project milestones have been reached.

Since the last A83 taskforce meeting in January, improvements include:

• £365,000 on debris barrier repairs and improvements

• Over £1 million on resurfacing  works at five locations

• £150,000 of safety fencing

• £125,000 of hillside drainage at Loch Shira

• £112,000 of drainage works on the Local Diversion Route (OMR)


• £150,000 of vegetation clearance at Erines

• Lining, signing and footway works on route

Further work is planned in the coming months at Strone Point and the Local Diversion Route along the Old Military Road will also be widened.

At a taskforce meeting on Wednesday, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf welcomed progress being made on the scheme.

He said: "I made it a priority to visit the Rest and Be Thankful to find out more about the landslide mitigation work taking place when I took up the post of Transport Minister earlier this year as I understand how important it is to the local area. The Scottish Government is committed to the task and invested over £53M in A83 overall since 2007 to ensure that it operates safely and efficiently.

"The important programme of landslide mitigation works is continuing at pace to keep the area open for business. By the end of 2017/18, we will have invested £13.5 million to mitigate the effects of landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful."

(LM)