Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn has agreed to meet representatives of a campaign group representing around 1,500 businesses before deciding on the medium-term arrangements for the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, former SNP MP Drew Hendry has said in The National.
Hendry said the meeting would bring together those responsible for the route and businesses reliant on it, amid concerns over proposals to divert traffic along the Old Military Road under convoy arrangements for approximately four years while a permanent solution is constructed.
Transport Scotland established a task force to address landslides at the site in August 2012, with ministers selecting a preferred route for a permanent solution in June 2023.
On 18 September, a letter to Flynn, led by Brendan O’Hara MP and signed by Jenni Minto MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP, council leader Jim Lynch and representatives of several business organisations, called for a meeting before a final decision was made.
Signatories included Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Federation of Small Businesses, NFU Scotland and the Road Haulage Association. They warned that using the Old Military Road under a continuous convoy system for four years could have severe economic consequences for Argyll and Bute.
O’Hara said politicians, the local authority and businesses had repeatedly opposed the proposal since it was first put forward by Transport Scotland. He has also launched a petition opposing the plan and said he intends to write to households across Argyll and Bute to raise awareness of the proposals.
The campaign group represents interests across haulage, farming, fishing, aquaculture, forestry, quarrying, construction, public transport, renewable energy and tourism.
In their letter, the signatories said businesses had gathered evidence of the potential effects of the proposed arrangements and were prepared to present it to the Cabinet Secretary and Transport Scotland.
The meeting is intended to give the group an opportunity to set out those concerns before a decision is taken on the medium-term approach to managing traffic at the landslide-prone route.
(Picture: Transport Scotland)
