• A83 affected by several landslides
• Clean up operations well underway
• Around 9,500 tonnes of debris removed from the trunk road so far

Following the heavy and persistent rainfall on Friday evening and over the weekend, work is now well underway to clear the affected sections of the A83.

Within the road closed section of the A83 between Inverary and the Rest and Be Thankful, six further landslips were identified. We have removed 9,500 tonnes of debris from the A83 so far, with a further approx. 2,000 tonnes on the hillside likely to need removed before the road can safely open.

Teams are on site monitoring the condition of the hillside and undertaking clear-up operations where it is deemed safe to do so.

The area around the A83 Rest and Be Thankful saw a month’s worth of rainfall, around 160mm, fall over 36 hours. The catch pits and fences stopped around 2,500 tonnes of debris and have ensured that only a small amount reached the road at the Rest and Be Thankful itself. This section is now clear.

Road closures will remain in place between Inverarary and Tarbet due to landslides both sides of Dunoon junction. The hard closure point is at Ardgarten, with Road Closed Ahead at Tarbet.

The Old Military Road is unaffected by the recent weather, but access on the local road network is restricted in addition to the A83 closure. We’re communicating with our partners at Argyll and Bute Council to ensure local access is reinstated as soon as possible.

The diversion via A819/A85/A82 at A85 Dalmally is open.

Western Ferries, route from Gourock to Dunoon, is currently available.

Road closures are in place on the A85 at Methven due to flooding. We are continuing to assess the situations locally while waiting for the flood waters to subside, but a local diversion is in place.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said, “The scale of the operation to clear the A83 is considerable, but the teams on site are working hard and for as long as they can safely do so. We’re working with partners to assess current conditions and continue the clean up in advance of further rain forecast on Tuesday.

“We want to thank the local residents in the area for their patience. Our priority is to get the road open again as soon as possible, while ensuring the safety of those on site.”