A83
:
Minutes:
Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, advised that
there were 4 resurfacing projects planned, one of which was significant to Cowal.Ìý He advised
that resurfacing works were planned south of Arrochar
between 21-29 March 2022 but were subject to change.Ìý He advised that formal notification from BEAR
would be given nearer the time.
The Chair advised that Iain MacInnes who had left
the meeting earlier had requested that the issue of the bus not stopping at the
top of the Rest and Be Thankful between the months of November and February be
raised, along with the issue of tour operators parking there.Ìý Mr MacFarlane advised that these issues could
be raised at the Task Force meeting in March.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
The Chair read out the below update in Neil
McFarlane’s absence:
In the next three months there are no planned
works, other than the Rest, between the peninsula and the A82 at Stoneymollan roundabout.
There are some resurfacing works on the A83 on the
Campbeltown side however these have been consulted on and advertised through
the usual channels.
Discussion focussed on the frustration felt around
the issues and timeframes in finding a permanent solution to the A83 Rest and
Be Thankful.
Outcome
The Forum:
1.
noted the update; and
2.
agreed that the Chair will write to Transport
Scotland highlighting issues that would be caused if the A82 and the A83 were
to be out of action at the same time.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
Neil MacFarlane advised the Forum there was no
programmed works along the A82 and A83 that would specifically impact Cowal at
present although some resurfacing works would need to take place from Cairndow
to Campbeltown which would involve lane occupations rather than closures.Ìý He also advised that Transport Scotland would
update the A83 Taskforce on 9 September 2021 on proposals and that he would
report back to the Forum on this in due course.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, advised the Forum that
whilst work was ongoing at the Rest and Be Thankful (RABT), most work on A83
and A82 Loch Lomondside was completed and that the
A82 Inverarnan stretch would be subject to overnight
closures from 27 May 2021 and the next major resurfacing works on the sections
of the A83 close to Cowal are expected to take place in September/October 2021.
The Forum noted that multiagency work monitoring and managing traffic,
particularly in Loch Lomond area, was underway.
Discussion focussed on the RABT medium and long-term proposals including ongoing discussions with Forestry and Land Scotland regarding the option for a new road along the corridor of the existing forestry access track. The condition of A8/M8 between Newark Castle and Glasgow Airport was also raised.
Outcome
The Forum;
1. noted the update; and
2. agreed that Neil MacFarlane would raise concerns over the condition of A8/M8 with relevant officers in Transport Scotland and report back to the Forum.
:
:
Minutes:
The Forum noted the letter from Kimberley Hughes - Project Administrator, Transport Scotland in relation to A83 Access to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute.
Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland circulated a list of notable Transport Scotland roadworks on A83 and A82
Loch Lomondside for the next quarter as follows;
Completed:
A83 Tarbet To Arrochar
Footway
Ongoing:
A83 Tarbet To Arrochar,
additional drainage improvements now underway; and
A83 Rest and Be Thankful (RABT) – bund on OMR complete, daylight
operation of A83 one way.
Upcoming:
A82 Loch Lomond side night time convoy resurfacing – all of February to
9 March;
A83 Clachan resurfacing from 18th to 22nd February;
A83 Lit sign faces and bollards refurbishment;
A83 Branch cutback proposals to be submitted w/c 25/01/2021;
A83 Glen Kinglas Bunds – subject to contract
completion; and
A83 Cairndow Signing scheme design underway.
Discussion
focussed on the intermediate solution at the RABT being weather dependent and
the intention to increase resilience to work towards having the road open 24/7
and in both directions. Concern was expressed over the length of time the
projected Local Public Inquiry would take to complete and by association the
final solution for the RABT.
Iain
Catterwell – Timber Transport Scotland stated that issues with Glenmhor road are subject to discussions with the council
and that they were looking at inter-visible passing places or two way
carriageway for short stretches, a bid will be submitted for 2021/22 with the
intent to upgrade to these standards. The forestry road on the south side of
Glen Croe will be upgraded for the use by timber
transport and Mr Catterwell confirmed that they were not sure if this route
would be further upgraded to become a permanent replacement for the trunk road
traffic or reserved just forÌý timber
transport.
Outcome
The Forum noted the letter and the update from Transport Scotland.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland circulated a list of notable Transport Scotland roadworks on A83 and A82
Loch Lomondside for the next quarter as follows;
Location |
Works Description |
Start date |
Duration |
|||||
Rest and be Thankful |
Landslide Mitigation |
Ongoing |
Ongoing |
|||||
Glen Kinglas |
Landslide Mitigation |
November 20 |
Until Spring |
|||||
|
|
|
||||||
Resurfacing Projects |
|
|||||||
Scheme Name |
Duration |
Start Date |
TM Type |
Timing |
|
|||
A82 Bandry |
8d |
17-Nov-20 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A82 South of Falls of Falloch Phase 2 |
6d |
30-Nov-20 |
Convoy |
Dayshift |
|
|||
A82 North of Luss |
10d |
31-Jan-21 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A82 North of Aldochlay |
10d |
14-Feb-21 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A83 Butterbridge to Dunoon Jct |
19d |
01-Nov-20 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A83 Cairndow North Junction |
5d |
24-Nov-20 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A83 Drishaig to Strone |
3d |
01-Dec-20 |
Road Closure |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A83 North of Strone Point |
1d |
06-Dec-20 |
Road Closure |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A83 Oyster Bar |
3d |
08-Dec-20 |
Convoy |
Dayshift |
|
|||
A83 South of Succoth Resurfacing |
2d |
11-Dec-20 |
Convoy |
Dayshift |
|
|||
A83 Butterbridge to Dunoon Jct Ph2 |
10d |
17-Jan-21 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
A83 West of A815 Junction |
8d |
31-Jan-21 |
Convoy |
Nightshift |
|
|||
Discussion focussed on the use of social media to update people with the
message being to check before they start their journey with Twitter being noted
as the most frequently updated.Ìý The
Forum noted that not everyone had access to social media and questioned
whetherÌý local and national radio
stations could fill this gap. Neil confirmed that notification was provided to
the radio stations although commented some were better than others at passing
on this information.
Scott Brown from the Jacobs engineering group spoke to a presentation
shared on the call in relation to the 11 corridor options under consideration
for the Rest and be Thankful along withÌý
the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) process for the project.Ìý The Forum noted that Jacobs were currently at
the start of the process in DMRB stage 1 after a 5 week data collection
consultation with stakeholders had closed with over 600 responses which were
now being reviewed. It was anticipated that in Spring 2021 they will be in
position to announce the preferred corridor and the Forum noted that the
process was lengthy due to having to follow statutory procedures and practices.
The Forum further noted that the current mitigation measures are hoped
to be completed by the end of the month allowing the A83 to re-open and that
Neil MacFarlane would speak directly with Bear Scotland regarding the
perception that the only diversion route available after 6pm was the A82 when
Western Ferries provide an alternative option until 10pm.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland circulated a list of the schemes proposed to be carried out on the A83 in the next 3 months that are subject to review owing to the ongoing situation at the Rest and Be Thankful. The Forum noted the top two listed below are currently postponed and that Transport Scotland are also consulting on an overnight closure of the A82 subject to review for the same reason;
A83 Oyster Bar Resurfacing
A83 South of Succoth Resurfacing
A83 Clachan Farm Dunderave Drainage
A83 Inveraray Footway Improvements Footway
A83 Tarbet to Arrochar Ph3 Drainage Improvements Drainage
A83 Castleton to Limory (HD28_2017) Resurfacing
A83 Drishaig to Strone Resurfacing
A83 Lochgilphead Footway
A83 North of Strone Point Resurfacing
A83 Goldberry Cottage NWDS_065 Drainage
A83 Butterbridge to Dunoon Jct Resurfacing
A83 Route Priority Signing Improvements Route Signing
A83 Cairndow North Junction Resurfacing
The Forum discussed that there was ongoing issues with hanging branches effecting LGVs and exact details of the issues were to be sent to Neil MacFarlane or ÌýBEAR directly.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
In the absence of Neil MacFarlane the Governance Officer
read out an update which advised the Forum that during May 2020, over the
course of 3 weeks of local closures, they currently plan to carry out
resurfacing at the following locations;
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Campbeltown;
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý South of
Furnace;
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý White
Bridge Cottage;
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Meall Mhor;
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Erines;
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý North of Bellochantuy Straights; and
•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý North of Gartnagrenach in June 2020.
In addition they are progressing an urgent scheme at A83 Erines, South Lodge the week commencing 23 March 2020.
The Group were also advised on disruptive works on the A82 noting that during April 2020 there will be 17 nights of convoy working on Loch Lomondside and between 10 and 21 May 2020 for 10 nights there will be a road closure.
Outcome
The Forum noted the update.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
Mr MacFarlane spoke regarding upcoming works in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute which may affect travel plans of those in the Cowal area.
Outcome
1. The Chair thanked Mr MacFarlane for his attendance and suggested that in terms of the order of business, as the meeting generally heard from ferry operatives first to allow them to leave the meeting thereafter, Mr MacFarlane was welcome to attend the meeting from 11am to avoid having to wait for the Transport Scotland items.
2. It was agreed the details of the bridge and road works raised would be forwarded by email to the Forum members.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
A representative from Transport Scotland was not present at
the meeting and no written update was submitted.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
A representative from Transport Scotland was not present at
the meeting and no written update was submitted.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
George
Fiddes from Transport Scotland provided the following email update:
The
A83 Taskforce meeting was held on the 15th November in Inveraray and
was well attended by Council representatives. The Taskforce brings
together a range of organisations and local stakeholders including: community
representatives, business groups, tourism groups, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Park and other groups / individuals who have an interest in the efficient
operation of the A83. At the A83 Taskforce meeting held on 15 November
2018, Michael Matheson MSP announced that he had instructed officials to:
(i)
explore how Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute can be prioritised within the second Strategic
Transport Projects Review. This means that the recommendations from STPR2 for
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute can be one of the first reported; and
(ii)
review the potential for additional physical landslide mitigation measures at
the Rest and Be Thankful and to report back to him by mid-February in advance
of the next Taskforce meeting in March.
Outcome
3. The Group agreed that it would be useful to have a record/map of all the hillsides within Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute that pose a risk of subsidence to a public road.
4. Debbie Donald requested that the Safer Roads Foundation report be kept on the agenda.
:
A83
:
Minutes:
George
Fiddes provided the Group with the following email
update:
A83
Rest and Be Thankful (£1.8M) Catch pit works – Phases 7 and 9 have been
progressed throughout August and are anticipated to be completed in September
2018. The excavation work in Phases 7 and 9 is almost finished with just
the shaping of the final base level left to complete. Once these final
excavation works have been carried out, the works will focus on installing the
remaining soil nails located on the lower slopes and installing the shotcrete
wall in both phases. Finally, for the protection of road users a vehicle
restraint system will be installed along the front of the pits prior to fully
opening the trunk road to traffic.
Outcome
: