A83 road

Last updated

UK road A83.svg
A83
A83 road map.png
Route information
Length98.3 mi [1]  (158.2 km)
Major junctions
Northeast end Tarbet ( NN319044 )
Major intersectionsUK road A82.svg A82 ( NN319044 )
UK road A814.svg A814 ( NN297043 )
UK road A815.svg A815 ( NN190099 )
UK road A816.svg A816 ( NR856880 )
UK road A819.svg A819 ( NN095086 )
Southwest end Campbeltown ( NR720204 )
Location
Country United Kingdom
Primary
destinations
Glasgow, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Campbeltown
Road network
UK road A82.svg A82 UK road A84.svg A84

The A83 is a major road in the south of Argyll and Bute, Scotland, running from Tarbet, on the western shore of Loch Lomond, where it splits from the A82, to Campbeltown at the southern end of the Kintyre peninsula. The road is best known for its section across the Rest and be Thankful pass through the Arrochar Alps between the heads of Loch Long and Loch Fyne.

Contents

Route

View south along the A83 road over Loch Fyne Atheadoflochfyne1357.jpg
View south along the A83 road over Loch Fyne

From Tarbet the A83 runs west across the watershed between Loch Lomond and Loch Long to Arrochar near the head of Loch Long. It then goes round the head of the loch, and along the western shore for a short distance, before turning northwest through the Rest and be Thankful mountain pass through Glen Croe in the Arrochar Alps, from the shore of Loch Long to that of Loch Fyne. It was near this spot that an RAF Tornado crashed on 2 July 2009. [2]

The words REST & BE THANKFUL are inscribed on a stone near the junction of the A83 and the B828, placed there by soldiers who built the original military road in 1753, now referred to as the Drovers' Road. The original stone fell into ruin and was replaced by a commemorative stone at the same site.

The section is so named as the climb out of Glen Croe is so long and steep at the end that it was customary for travellers to rest at the top, and be thankful for having reached the highest point. The current road no longer keeps to the floor of Glen Croe but steadily climbs across the southern slopes of Beinn Luibhean, on the north side of the Glen, to the highest point of the pass. The westward descent to Loch Fyne is through Glen Kinglas. At Cairndow the A815, the main road down the Cowal Peninsula, branches off south to Dunoon and finally Toward at the A815 road end, both on the Firth of Clyde.

On reaching the shore of Loch Fyne, the A83 follows the eastern shore of the loch northwards to its head and then goes south west along the western shore through Inveraray and then on to Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig, where it crosses the entrance to the Crinan Canal.

From Ardrishaig the road continues south to Tarbert, where it crosses over to the western shore of the Kintyre peninsula. In the final section it passes through the villages of Whitehouse, Clachan, Tayinloan, Muasdale and Bellochantuy before finally crossing back to the east of the peninsula, on the Firth of Clyde coast, as it approaches Campbeltown.

Rest and Be Thankful closures

The stretch south of the Rest and Be Thankful junction has been closed on a number of occasions due to landslides, causing significant disruption to local traffic. The closure results in a 59-mile (93 km) diversion via Crianlarich when the military road is also affected. [3] The many communities affected by the closures of the trunk road are campaigning for a permanent solution to be constructed by Transport Scotland. Suggestions include a rock shed, so future slips flow over the trunk road, and a new road route. [4] [5] [6]

Transport Scotland has, in recent years, spent £80m on landslip prevention schemes, none of which has improved the situation on the trunk road. [7] The many wire slip capture nets and supporting cables have failed on many occasions and some have criticised these, saying they blight the picturesque area. [8]

Landslides have become increasingly frequent in recent years despite remediation efforts. In March 2020 Transport Scotland said it was investing in the further construction of catch pits which it hoped would mitigate against landslides along the A83 trunk road route. [24] A 10-year woodland creation project is currently in progress; it is thought that the subsequent ground stabilisation will help prevent further landslides. [25]

In March 2022, Transport Scotland shortlisted five consultants to design a long-term solution to landslip problems on the A83 at Rest and Be Thankful. Five options including tunnelling are being considered. Transport Scotland has looked at Norway's processes and methods for developing and constructing tunnelling projects to deal with conditions similar to those at Rest and Be Thankful. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll and Bute</span> Council area of Scotland

Argyll and Bute is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod. The administrative centre for the council area is in Lochgilphead at Kilmory Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival building and estate. The current council leader is Councillor Jim Lynch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowal</span> Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Cowal is a rugged peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland to the north, and is bounded by Loch Fyne to the west, by Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde to the east, and by the Kyles of Bute to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Long</span> Sea-loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Loch Long is a body of water in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Sea Loch extends from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end. It measures approximately 20 miles in length, with a width of between one and two miles. The loch also has an arm, Loch Goil, on its western side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Fyne</span> Sea inlet on west coast of Scotland

Loch Fyne, is a sea loch off the Firth of Clyde and forms part of the coast of the Cowal peninsula. Located on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It extends 65 kilometres (40 mi) inland from the Sound of Bute, making it the longest of the sea lochs in Scotland. It is connected to the Sound of Jura by the Crinan Canal. Although there is no evidence that grapes have grown there, the title is probably honorific, indicating that the river, Abhainn Fìne, was a well-respected river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardrishaig</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Ardrishaig is a coastal village on Loch Gilp, at the southern (eastern) entrance to the Crinan Canal in Argyll and Bute in the west of Scotland. It lies immediately to the south of Lochgilphead, with the nearest larger town being Oban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arrochar, Argyll</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Arrochar is a village located near the head of Loch Long, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands. The Arrochar Alps are named after the village. The village is within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cobbler</span>

The Cobbler is an 884 metres (2,900 ft) mountain located near the head of Loch Long in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is a Corbett, and is an important site for rock climbing in the Southern Highlands. Many maps include the name Ben Arthur, but the name The Cobbler is more widely used. In the 19th century it was referred to as The Cobbler and his Wife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arrochar Alps</span> Mountain range in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

The Arrochar Alps are a group of mountains located around the heads of Loch Long, Loch Fyne, and Loch Goil. They are part of the Grampian mountains range, which stretch across Scotland. The villages of Arrochar and Lochgoilhead are the nearest settlements. Many of the mountains are located on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarbet, Argyll</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Tarbet is a small village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beinn an Lochain</span> Mountain in the Arrochar Alps, Scotland

Beinn an Lochain is a mountain in the Arrochar Alps on the Cowal Peninsula, in western Scotland and is a Corbett at 901.7 metres (2,958 ft). Beinn an Lochain is situated within the Argyll Forest Park which is itself within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Goil</span> Sea Loch in Scotland.

Loch Goil; is a small sea loch forming part of the coast of the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The sea loch is entirely within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Croe</span> Glen in Argyll and Bute


Glen Croe is a glen in the heart of the Arrochar Alps on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The glen is surrounded by large and rugged mountains characterised by huge boulders. The Croe Water flows through the glen and into Loch Long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Donich</span>

Ben Donich or Beinn Dòmhnaich is a mountain located in the Arrochar Alps, near Loch Goil in Argyll and Bute. It is a Corbett and part of the Ardgoil range with its sister The Brack. The closest settlement to Ben Donich is the village of Lochgoilhead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A815 road (Scotland)</span> Road in Scotland

The A815 is a major road located on the Cowal peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It runs for about 35.7 miles (57.5 km) from the A83, near Cairndow, in the north to Toward in the south. It passes beside three lochs, while its final stretch is along the Firth of Clyde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stob an Eas</span> Mountain in Scotland

Stob an Eas is a 2401 ft (732m) Graham in the Arrochar Alps, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military roads of Scotland</span>

A network of military roads, sometimes called General Wade's Military Roads, was constructed in the Scottish Highlands during the middle part of the 18th century as part of an attempt by the British Government to bring order to a part of the country which had risen up in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hell's Glen</span> Glen in Argyll and Bute

Hell's Glen is a glen on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland, within the Arrochar Alps. The B839 single track road passes through the glen. To the west, the glen leads to Loch Fyne and to the east Lochgoilhead. Glen Mhor (B828) joins the glen about half way along and leeds to Glen Croe at the Rest & be Thankful viewpoint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aray Bridge</span> Stone-arch road bridge in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Aray Bridge, also known as Inveraray Bridge, is a stone two-arch public road bridge on the Inveraray Castle estate near Inveraray in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, carrying the A83 road over the mouth of the River Aray where it flows into Loch Fyne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Kinglas</span> Glen in Argyll and Bute

Glen Kinglas is a glen located on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The glen is one of the main glens in the Arrochar Alps, the A83 road from Arrochar and Loch Lomond passes through the glen. At the north end of the glen, a pass leads to Glen Croe, passing Loch Restil. At the south of the glen the A815 road leaves the A83 and leads through the Cowal peninsula to Dunoon on the Firth of Clyde coast. The A83 continues on past Cairndow and Loch Fyne Oysters to Inveraray and Inveraray Castle on Loch Fyne.

References

  1. "Driving directions to Longrow S/A83". Google Maps. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  2. "Two killed in RAF Tornado crash". 2 July 2009 via news.bbc.co.uk.
  3. "Road workers abused over 59 mile diversion". 21 August 2020 via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. Council, Argyll and Bute (5 March 2020). "Council Leader calls again for a permanent solution for A83". Argyll and Bute Council.
  5. "Rest and Be Thankful: Cross-party calls for work on permanent solution to start next year". 11 August 2020.
  6. "Transport Scotland | Rest and Be Thankful". www.transport.gov.scot.
  7. "It's the pits: £80m taxpayers' money 'wasted' over multiple failed fixes to iconic Scots road". HeraldScotland.
  8. "REPORT PPR743" (PDF).
  9. "'Flatout' efforts to reopen A83". BBC News . 5 November 2007.
  10. "A83 Rest and be Thankful Open - Single Lane only". Islay Weblog. 9 November 2007.
  11. "Landslip as winds batter Scotland". BBC News . 8 September 2009.
  12. "Road open 48 hours after landslip". BBC News . 10 September 2009.
  13. "Slip could close A83 Rest and Be Thankful for 24 hours". BBC News . 1 December 2011.
  14. "Landslip closes A83 Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll". BBC News . 23 February 2012.
  15. Dalton, Alastair. "A83 could reopen today as work resumes to clear Rest and Be Thankful landslide". The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
  16. "A83 at Rest and be Thankful reopens following landslip". BBC News . 3 October 2013.
  17. "Argyll News: A83 now closed with landslide at Rest & Be Thankful". For Argyll. 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  18. Campbell, Rita (30 December 2015). "Storm Frank: Cars caught up in Rest and Be Thankful landslide". The Press and Journal . Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  19. "Boulders 'as big as cars' at Rest and Be Thankful". BBC News. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  20. "A83: Rest and Be Thankful to remain closed overnight due to landslide". Herald Scotland. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  21. "Rest and Be Thankful road hit by seven landslips". 9 October 2023 via www.bbc.co.uk.
  22. Dewar, Caitlyn (11 October 2023). "Landslide-hit Rest and Be Thankful reopens following major flooding". STV News.
  23. "Ten people airlifted from vehicles after major route closed by landslip". Helensburgh Advertiser. 7 October 2023.
  24. "Rest and Be Thankful: New pit to combat landslips on A83". BBC News . 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  25. "Rest and Be Thankful woodland creation - Forestry and Land Scotland". forestryandland.gov.scot.
  26. "Five designers shortlisted for A83 landslip remedy". The Construction Index. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.