The effects of climate change could pose a significant challenge to infrastructure supporting roads and transport across Argyll and Bute, the council has said.

It said lobbying both the Scottish and UK Governments for funding will be required to make sure there is enough investment to futureproof the resilience of our roads and transport infrastructure. 

These were points raised in a report to today’s Council meeting, when councillors heard about recovery work required across Argyll and Bute following last October’s extreme weather.

The report outlines that the effects of climate change were illustrated starkly by the weather event on 7 October 2023 which caused significant travel disruption and separated communities for some weeks.

The council, and its contractors, swiftly carried out extensive works across dozens of locations to clear roads, rebuild infrastructure and reconnect towns and villages. 

The scale of the work included:

• Creating a by-pass for the major landslip at Ardfern; 
• Seven landslips, over 1.5km of road, on the A815 from Cowal to the Rest and Be Thankful Fortunately, not all the slips hit the road; 
• Providing a new bridge a Kilmelford; 
• Providing a temporary bridge at Glen Lean; 
• Stabilising the slope at the B828, Lochgoilhead; 
• Rock protection at Kilninver; and 
• Retaining and stabilising the structure at Scammadale; 

[The majority of locations where work was carried out have been reinstated and permanent works in place. There are still some ongoing works which need to be completed, most of which will be finalised this year.]

There will be long-term work at the A816 Ardfern which requires a permanent diversion 

Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said: “Firstly, I’d like to commend everyone who worked in atrocious conditions to get Argyll and Bute moving again – you did a fantastic job. I’d also like to thank our communities for their spirit and strength through what were very tough times.

“This concentrated response acknowledges the importance our road and bridge network plays in the economy and community life of Argyll and Bute and why it is so vital to maintain its resilience. Our job as a council is to stand up for Argyll and Bute. Whether to protect coastal, island or inland communities, we will do what we can to seek the investment for our roads and bridges as the council has done successfully in the past. Our commitment to meet our climate change targets continue, and we ask for your support to do what you can at home – it is by working together that we will achieve the changes we all want.”