Issue - meetings

George Fiddes provided the Group with the following update:

·         A82 Contingency works went to plan and disruptions were kept to a minimum.

·         Improvements are in place for the future and they are looking at key nodes on the network to set up storage boxes on the road with traffic signs in association with Argyll and Bute Council.

·         Existing arrangements for this winter are in place.

·         A location for the A83 VMS sign at Inveraray is being looked at, at the moment.

·         Police Scotland had no update on situation but stated that they don’t always have the resources and look to BEAR and Argyll and Bute Council to take traffic management forward in certain situations.

·         It was noted if it is a serious incident then situation evolves and agencies react as best they can to the situation. Police Scotland’s first priority is always to deal with the incident itself, followed by the traffic management.

Kevin MacIntosh informed the Group that:

·         They are trying to better identify locations for diversions kits and the purchase of lockable cabinets is in progress.

·         Agencies have limited resources across the board and due to geographic nature of the area it takes time to set diversions and alternative routes up.

·          Two VMS signs have been refurbished by BEAR and will be positioned shortly on the A815 at the junctions with the A886 and A880, hopefully in place before Christmas.

Iain McInnes requested that signage better reflects where the actual closures are. It was identified that responsibility for the maintenance of the VMS signs would be with Transport Scotland.

Archie Reid expressed disappointment at the length of time it is taking to put the VMS signs in place.  George Fiddes and Kevin McIntosh agreed to chase this up and email the Chair and the Group on when they will be in place.

Iain McInnes asked why a VMS sign couldn’t be put up on a B class road. Kevin McIntosh responded  that the cost and responsibility of the sign would limit getting one, what’s in place on the whole does work, that there was no identifiable budget to accommodate this and temporary signage would be used to alert road users so not much would be gained from having a VMS. 

OUTCOME

The Group noted that the locked boxes containing temporary signage and two refurbished VMS signs will be in situ early next year and that Iain McInnes was dissatisfied that there was no budget for a VMS sign at Lochgoilhead, a matter which he intended to independently pursue with members of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee.