Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, will question Transport Minister Keith Brown on the subject of the A83 trunk road at Question Time next week in the Scottish Parliament.
Jamie has tabled an oral question to be answered at next Thursday’s General Question Time, asking what steps the government is taking to prevent further closures of the A83 because of landslips.
Jamie submitted the question following last weekend’s closure of the A83 due to a landslip at Butterbridge.
Speaking today, Jamie said:
“I have consistently pressed successive Scottish Transport Ministers to recognise the strategic importance of the A83 trunk road to the communities and economy of Argyll & Bute, and to take action to implement landslide prevention measures along the length of "at risk" areas.
“Local residents and businesses are concerned that two of the most recent three landslides on the road, including last weekend’s, have occurred at locations beyond the area where the emergency relief road at the Rest & Be Thankful was constructed to be used in the event of closures there. It is clear that further measures are needed in these vulnerable areas too.
“Everything possible must be done to prevent closures of this vital road artery and the subsequent lengthy diversions they bring, which harm local businesses from Cairndow to Campbeltown and beyond, and greatly inconvenience tourists and residents alike”.