Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron, in responding to the A83 consultation, has urged the Scottish Government to do what it takes to reopen Argyll and Bute following continuing road closures and that, in the longer term, it should consider investment in rail as part of a project to improve transport communications in the area.
The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “Due to years of neglect by the SNP Government, local people, who rely on the A83, cannot now risk setting out without checking on a daily basis whether the road will actually be open."
“This is absolutely unacceptable and the current consultation must not be allowed to delay urgent action.”
Responding to Transport Scotland’s consultation on Access to Argyll and Bute, which lists 11 possible corridor options, Mr Cameron supported Options 1 and 5, believing that Option 1 – which would run along the current route - promised the speediest way of improving access, while Option 5 - which would involve new fixed link crossings at Loch Long and Loch Fyne - might be able to deliver a resilient long-term solution.
He added: “I believe that it would also be worth Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government considering rail as part of this project to provide a faster connection for parts of Argyll and Bute to Glasgow and Edinburgh. At present, the only rail connections in Argyll and Bute exist in Oban and Lorn. There would be clear economic and social benefits to extending rail into Cowal and Kintyre.”
Supporting Mr Cameron’s call for action, Cllr Bobby Good (Dunoon), Depute Policy Lead for Roads & Amenities on Argyll and Bute Council, said: “After years of neglect, we badly need a positive vision for Argyll and Bute which gives residents and businesses the prospect of a fit-for-purpose transport system."
“We need to instil confidence that our concerns are being taken seriously. This consultation must not become another paper exercise, long on promises, and short on action, which is what has happened all too often in the past.”
Details on the consultation are available here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/project-corridor-options-access-to-argyll-and-bute-a83/