Welcome extended to all attendees by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP

FH welcomed everyone to the 27th meeting of the A83 Taskforce, which was a virtual meeting held on MS Teams.

FH informed the group that positive engagement with stakeholders will continue through the Taskforce, and reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to Argyll and Bute to ensure the A83 is open for business. FH noted the importance of the A83 and its connection to the communities and economy of the Argyll and Bute area.

FH noted the events of Sunday 15 September, which again highlights that the Rest and Be Thankful needs a solution which brings certainty to those who are directly impacted. Due to the condition of the hillside, the A83 was closed on Sunday morning as a precaution, and mobilisation of the Old Military Road minimised the use of the long diversion ensuring that Argyll and Bute remains open for business.

FH noted that 500 Tonnes of material was successfully intercepted by the debris fences and pits in this location with no material reaching the road. The debris fences and catchpit have protected road users and protected the road itself from damage and will greatly speed up the clear up operation.

FH continued to note that on the evening of Wednesday 18 September, further material movement, including large boulders, was detected on the hillside. The A83 was closed due to safety concerns and traffic was diverted onto the longer diversion route.  Once livestock was safely removed from the Old Military Road it was mobilised for use at around 9am this morning. Traffic will remain on the Old Military Road whilst an assessment of the hillside continues but will return to the A83 as soon as it is safe to do so.

FH reiterated that the Scottish Government remains fully committed to the delivery of both the medium and long term solutions.

FH outlined the next steps which includes the detailed design and assessment of the preferred option, which is progressing at pace, and will conclude with the publication of draft orders and Environmental Impact Assessment which are expected to be published by the end of this year. FH added that progress thereafter this depends on any representations including any objections. FH reiterated that the delivery of the permanent long term solution (LTS) is a priority and we will continue to seek to deliver that as quickly as possible.

FH confirmed that the Scottish Government is pushing forward with the Medium Term Solution (MTS) improvements to the Old Military Road (OMR) to create a more  resilient diversion route until the LTS is in place.

FH stated that the MTS Phase one works had commenced in December and construction of the new link road was now complete and in operation. It is expected that the remainder of the medium term improvement works will be carried out on a phased basis.

FH added that significant ground investigation work for the MTS commenced on site and is nearing completion, and a separate ground investigation contract for the LTS has been awarded, with site works likely to commence in the coming weeks. The information obtained from these investigations will inform the ongoing design work which continues at pace.

FH noted that several questions have been received from Taskforce members and will be discussed under agenda item 6.

FH noted that apologies have been received from some members and these will be listed in the meeting minutes.