It’s been admitted that traffic will be diverted from the Rest and Be Thankful for “years rather than months” while a shelter is built over the stretch of the A83 prone to landslides.

The pass has been subject to numerous closures due to frequent landslides, which mean diversions along a nearby single-track road, the Old Military Road.

The Herald newspaper points out more than £11m has been spent since 2014 clearing landslips, so plans have been drawn up to build a shelter over a section of the road, in effect a 1.4km long tunnel which would keep debris off the road.

But the paper says Argyll and Bute Council has revealed that construction of the shelter would mean Old Military Road being used for “years rather than months”.

It says before construction begins, upgrades to the parallel road will be made to allow for two-way traffic – but the north-west end would remain single track and have to employ traffic management, including a convoy system, due to the steepness and twistiness of the road.

(Picture – Transport Scotland)