ARGYLL and Bute Council has welcomed Transport Scotland’s announcement of the preferred route for future upgrade work on the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan.

On Thursday, Transport Scotland confirmed that any future upgrade of the strategically-important route will be carried out within the existing road corridor – a 17-kilometre stretch between Tarbet and Inverarnan.  Known as the online option, this is one of three proposals which have undergone an engineering, environmental, economic and traffic assessment by Transport Scotland.   

The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Dick Walsh, welcomed the news, which came the day after he attended a high-level meeting to discuss the A83.

Councillor Walsh said: “The A82 is one of a number of key strategic routes which play a vital part in Argyll and Bute’s economic growth.

“On Wednesday we joined other stakeholders for discussions about this, and the majority of those present agreed that future investment in the A82 and the online option is extremely important.

“We will be meeting with Transport Scotland again in June for more discussion of these strategic routes, and will be emphasising the importance of wider connectivity for Argyll and Bute.

“Anything which keeps Argyll and Bute moving is to be encouraged.”