Decision details

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update following the announcement by the Transport Minister in December 2022 in respect of improvements to the Old Military Road as a medium term solution to improve the resilience of the temporary diversion route to the A83, should it be closed.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1. reaffirmed the Council’s long-established position that a permanent solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful must be identified and, crucially, put in place as soon as possible, as first agreed in this new Council term through a motion to Council in September 2022 and subsequently embedded within the Priorities for the Council agreed in November 2022;

2. noted the confirmation from the Transport Minister that funding would remain available for both the medium and long-term solutions for the route;

3. noted the timescales set out in the report and that the aim was to have both lanes of the A83 reopened, with traffic signals removed, by June or July of this year;

4. noted that there was a further meeting of the A83 Taskforce due to take place in June 2023; and

5. in light of the timescales at (3) and (4) above, requested that officers bring a further update to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting on 31 August 2023, for consideration of any further lobbying action that may be required.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated January 2023, submitted; and Motion by Councillor Andrew Kain, seconded by Councillor Donald Kelly, tabled)