Issue - meetings

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, advised that there were 4 resurfacing projects planned, one of which was significant to Cowal.  He advised that resurfacing works were planned south of Arrochar between 21-29 March 2022 but were subject to change.  He advised that formal notification from BEAR would be given nearer the time.

The Chair advised that Iain MacInnes who had left the meeting earlier had requested that the issue of the bus not stopping at the top of the Rest and Be Thankful between the months of November and February be raised, along with the issue of tour operators parking there.  Mr MacFarlane advised that these issues could be raised at the Task Force meeting in March.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update.

The Chair read out the below update in Neil McFarlane’s absence:

In the next three months there are no planned works, other than the Rest, between the peninsula and the A82 at Stoneymollan roundabout.

There are some resurfacing works on the A83 on the Campbeltown side however these have been consulted on and advertised through the usual channels.

Discussion focussed on the frustration felt around the issues and timeframes in finding a permanent solution to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

Outcome

The Forum:

1.    noted the update; and

2.    agreed that the Chair will write to Transport Scotland highlighting issues that would be caused if the A82 and the A83 were to be out of action at the same time.

Neil MacFarlane advised the Forum there was no programmed works along the A82 and A83 that would specifically impact Cowal at present although some resurfacing works would need to take place from Cairndow to Campbeltown which would involve lane occupations rather than closures.  He also advised that Transport Scotland would update the A83 Taskforce on 9 September 2021 on proposals and that he would report back to the Forum on this in due course.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update.

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, advised the Forum that whilst work was ongoing at the Rest and Be Thankful (RABT), most work on A83 and A82 Loch Lomondside was completed and that the A82 Inverarnan stretch would be subject to overnight closures from 27 May 2021 and the next major resurfacing works on the sections of the A83 close to Cowal are expected to take place in September/October 2021. The Forum noted that multiagency work monitoring and managing traffic, particularly in Loch Lomond area, was underway.

Discussion focussed on the RABT medium and long-term proposals including ongoing discussions with Forestry and Land Scotland regarding the option for a new road along the corridor of the existing forestry access track. The condition of A8/M8 between Newark Castle and Glasgow Airport was also raised.

Outcome

The Forum;

1.    noted the update; and

2.    agreed that Neil MacFarlane would raise concerns over the condition of A8/M8 with relevant officers in Transport Scotland and report back to the Forum.

The Forum noted the letter from Kimberley Hughes - Project Administrator, Transport Scotland in relation to A83 Access to Argyll and Bute.

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland circulated a list of notable Transport Scotland roadworks on A83 and A82 Loch Lomondside for the next quarter as follows;

Completed:

A83 Tarbet To Arrochar Footway

Ongoing:

A83 Tarbet To Arrochar, additional drainage improvements now underway; and

A83 Rest and Be Thankful (RABT) – bund on OMR complete, daylight operation of A83 one way.

Upcoming:

A82 Loch Lomond side night time convoy resurfacing – all of February to 9 March;

A83 Clachan resurfacing from 18th to 22nd February;

A83 Lit sign faces and bollards refurbishment;

A83 Branch cutback proposals to be submitted w/c 25/01/2021;

A83 Glen Kinglas Bunds – subject to contract completion; and

A83 Cairndow Signing scheme design underway.

Discussion focussed on the intermediate solution at the RABT being weather dependent and the intention to increase resilience to work towards having the road open 24/7 and in both directions. Concern was expressed over the length of time the projected Local Public Inquiry would take to complete and by association the final solution for the RABT.

Iain Catterwell – Timber Transport Scotland stated that issues with Glenmhor road are subject to discussions with the council and that they were looking at inter-visible passing places or two way carriageway for short stretches, a bid will be submitted for 2021/22 with the intent to upgrade to these standards. The forestry road on the south side of Glen Croe will be upgraded for the use by timber transport and Mr Catterwell confirmed that they were not sure if this route would be further upgraded to become a permanent replacement for the trunk road traffic or reserved just for  timber transport.

Outcome

The Forum noted the letter and the update from Transport Scotland.

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland circulated a list of notable Transport Scotland roadworks on A83 and A82 Loch Lomondside for the next quarter as follows;

Discussion focussed on the use of social media to update people with the message being to check before they start their journey with Twitter being noted as the most frequently updated.  The Forum noted that not everyone had access to social media and questioned whether  local and national radio stations could fill this gap. Neil confirmed that notification was provided to the radio stations although commented some were better than others at passing on this information.

Scott Brown from the Jacobs engineering group spoke to a presentation shared on the call in relation to the 11 corridor options under consideration for the Rest and be Thankful along with  the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) process for the project.  The Forum noted that Jacobs were currently at the start of the process in DMRB stage 1 after a 5 week data collection consultation with stakeholders had closed with over 600 responses which were now being reviewed. It was anticipated that in Spring 2021 they will be in position to announce the preferred corridor and the Forum noted that the process was lengthy due to having to follow statutory procedures and practices.

The Forum further noted that the current mitigation measures are hoped to be completed by the end of the month allowing the A83 to re-open and that Neil MacFarlane would speak directly with Bear Scotland regarding the perception that the only diversion route available after 6pm was the A82 when Western Ferries provide an alternative option until 10pm.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update.

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland circulated a list of the schemes proposed to be carried out on the A83 in the next 3 months that are subject to review owing to the ongoing situation at the Rest and Be Thankful. The Forum noted the top two listed below are currently postponed and that Transport Scotland are also consulting on an overnight closure of the A82 subject to review for the same reason;

A83 Oyster Bar Resurfacing

A83 South of Succoth Resurfacing

A83 Clachan Farm Dunderave Drainage

A83 Inveraray Footway Improvements Footway

A83 Tarbet to Arrochar Ph3 Drainage Improvements Drainage

A83 Castleton to Limory (HD28_2017) Resurfacing

A83 Drishaig to Strone Resurfacing

A83 Lochgilphead Footway

A83 North of Strone Point Resurfacing

A83 Goldberry Cottage NWDS_065 Drainage

A83 Butterbridge to Dunoon Jct Resurfacing

A83 Route Priority Signing Improvements Route Signing

A83 Cairndow North Junction Resurfacing

The Forum discussed that there was ongoing issues with hanging branches effecting LGVs and exact details of the issues were to be sent to Neil MacFarlane or  BEAR directly.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update.

In the absence of Neil MacFarlane the Governance Officer read out an update which advised the Forum that during May 2020, over the course of 3 weeks of local closures, they currently plan to carry out resurfacing at the following locations;

•           Campbeltown;

•           South of Furnace;

•           White Bridge Cottage;

•           Meall Mhor;

•           Erines;

•           North of Bellochantuy Straights; and

•           North of Gartnagrenach in June 2020.

In addition they are progressing an urgent scheme at A83 Erines, South Lodge the week commencing 23 March 2020.

The Group were also advised on disruptive works on the A82 noting that during April 2020 there will be 17 nights of convoy working on Loch Lomondside and between 10 and 21 May 2020 for 10 nights there will be a road closure.

Outcome

The Forum noted the update.

Mr MacFarlane spoke regarding upcoming works in Argyll and Bute which may affect travel plans of those in the Cowal area.

Outcome

1.    The Chair thanked Mr MacFarlane for his attendance and suggested that in terms of the order of business, as the meeting generally heard from ferry operatives first to allow them to leave the meeting thereafter, Mr MacFarlane was welcome to attend the meeting from 11am to avoid having to wait for the Transport Scotland items.

2.    It was agreed the details of the bridge and road works raised would be forwarded by email to the Forum members.

A representative from Transport Scotland was not present at the meeting and no written update was submitted.

A representative from Transport Scotland was not present at the meeting and no written update was submitted.

George Fiddes from Transport Scotland provided the following email update:

The A83 Taskforce meeting was held on the 15^th November in Inveraray and was well attended by Council representatives.  The Taskforce brings together a range of organisations and local stakeholders including: community representatives, business groups, tourism groups, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and other groups / individuals who have an interest in the efficient operation of the A83.  At the A83 Taskforce meeting held on 15 November 2018, Michael Matheson MSP announced that he had instructed officials to:

(i) explore how Argyll and Bute can be prioritised within the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. This means that the recommendations from STPR2 for Argyll and Bute can be one of the first reported; and

(ii) review the potential for additional physical landslide mitigation measures at the Rest and Be Thankful and to report back to him by mid-February in advance of the next Taskforce meeting in March.

Outcome

1. Iain MacInnes informed the Group that he was still waiting for an agreed meeting with Jim Smith and asked if this could be explored.

2. The Group noted that it was important for Transport Scotland and BEAR to look at the totality of the area in regards to landslide prevention and should not be limited to reactive work at the Rest and Be Thankful.

3.    The Group agreed that it would be useful to have a record/map of all the hillsides within Argyll and Bute that pose a risk of subsidence to a public road.

4.    Debbie Donald requested that the Safer Roads Foundation report be kept on the agenda.

George Fiddes provided the Group with the following email update:

A83 Rest and Be Thankful (£1.8M) Catch pit works – Phases 7 and 9 have been progressed throughout August and are anticipated to be completed in September 2018.  The excavation work in Phases 7 and 9 is almost finished with just the shaping of the final base level left to complete. Once these final excavation works have been carried out, the works will focus on installing the remaining soil nails located on the lower slopes and installing the shotcrete wall in both phases. Finally, for the protection of road users a vehicle restraint system will be installed along the front of the pits prior to fully opening the trunk road to traffic.

Outcome

1. Concerns were raised regarding walkers safety due to the ongoing work at Butterbridge and also regarding barriers at the top of the Rest and Be Thankful.  It was agreed to raise both issues with Transport Scotland.
2. The Cowal Transport Forum will request that the Head of Roads and Amenity Services include the Safer Roads Foundation survey results at Cairndow on the next A83 Task Force agenda and that Cairndow Community Council are invited to attend.
3. The Forum agreed to hold a special meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, in advance of the next scheduled meeting, to discuss all outstanding trunk road issues with George Fiddes or a suitable representative.