Argyll and Bute Council is disappointed the Scottish Government will not be able to find the cash needed to reconstruct the A85 Bealach-an-Righ to Argyll Square and Esplanade in Oban.  The works were approved by Transport Scotland in October 2005 but have been delayed ever since.

In November last year Transport Spokesman Councillor Duncan MacIntyre was assured the road and pavement reconstruction and associated replacement of lighting would be carried out in 2011. At a recent meeting with Transport Scotland and Scotland Transerve, Councillor MacIntyre found out the reconstruction scheme could be removed from this year’s programme and the work might not happen at all.

Councillor MacIntyre has written to the Scottish Government explaining the road is at a critical stage made worse by two severe winters and the six year delay on the work. He says ‘The A85 in Oban now presents a genuine road safety concern and its condition is hugely detrimental  to the towns functioning as the key transport hub on the West Coast and as an important destination town to the Scottish tourist economy.’

‘Argyll and Bute Council has invested considerable resources supporting the partnership with Transerv in progressing traffic management improvements within Oban and the reconstruction of the A85 trunk road.  We are deeply frustrated Transport Scotland has removed it from their programme.’

The Transport Minister has agreed to an urgent meeting with Councillor MacIntyre.