Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, is to meet business representatives concerned about proposals for the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, according to former SNP MP Drew Hendry.
The meeting is expected to take place before a decision on the route’s medium-term arrangements. The proposed approach would divert traffic along the Old Military Road using convoy operations for about four years while a permanent solution is built.
Businesses warn of economic impact
The campaign group represents around 1,500 businesses across sectors including haulage, farming, fishing, aquaculture, forestry, quarrying, construction, public transport, renewable energy and tourism.
Its members have warned that continuous convoy arrangements on the Old Military Road could have severe economic consequences for Argyll and Bute. They say they have assembled evidence on the likely effects and want to present it to Flynn and Transport Scotland before a final decision is made.
A letter sent to Flynn on 18 September was led by Brendan O’Hara MP and signed by Jenni Minto MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP, council leader Jim Lynch and representatives of business organisations including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Federation of Small Businesses, NFU Scotland and the Road Haulage Association.
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 against the plan and said he intends to write to households across Argyll and Bute.
Long-term route under development
Transport Scotland established a task force to address landslides at the site in August 2012. Ministers selected a preferred route for a permanent solution in June 2023.
The forthcoming meeting is intended to give affected businesses the opportunity to outline their concerns before the Scottish Government decides how traffic should be managed at the landslide-prone route in the medium term.