McGrigor gets answers from Stevenson on A82 and A83 works

We did have a grin at the opening line of Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson’s letter to Highland and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor, dated 1st April 2010.

‘You will recollect that in providing an answer to your Oral PO S30-09571 regarding the A82 and A83 in Parliament on 25 February, I agreed to write to you to provide more information on the points you raised in your follow up question’.

Given that the letter arrived five weeks after the question was asked, it makes some sense to be sure that the recipient does indeed ‘recollect’ the question that began it all. Speedy Gonzales Stevenson ain’t.

If we remember correctly, he ducked McGrigor’s question in the Parliament on 25th February on the grounds of the answer being too complex to take parliamentary time to deliver orally – hence the promise of the letter.. The time it has taken to assemble the information may suggest a rather different story of the failure to respond on the day.

However… here is the meat of it.

‘The Scottish Government recognises the need for improvements on the A82. This is evidenced by the current level of investment and the commitment to the upgrade detailed in the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). Intervention 3 (Targeted Road Improvements) aims to significantly improve the standard of the A82, reduce accident rates, accident severity and cut journey times. In addition to a general upgrade of the route, as you indicated, this project would include measures such as road widening (at selected locations between Tarbet and Inverarnan and between Corran Ferry and Fort William), climbing lanes (and overtaking laybys accompanied by road realignments) and junction improvements, as
well as hard strips and safety cameras. These measures will create safer overtaking opportunities and a more reliable and safer route.

‘The STPR recommendations are significant and will obviously require detailed planning and design. We have therefore been engaging with stakeholders such as the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scottish Natural Heritage, the local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships, to ensure appropriate solutions are brought forward for the A82.

‘We are committed to delivering the STPR recommendations. However, unde the terms of the devolution settlement, we rely upon a budget allocated to us by Westminster every three years, and given that the STPR covers a 20-year period, this will obviously be subject to future spending reviews. In light of this, the pace at which the STPR projects will be delivered will be determined by the availability of resources in future spending reviews.

‘We are also taking forward the current schemes at Crianlarich and Pulpit Rock. Draft Road Orders and Compulsory Purchase Order for the Crianlarich Bypass were published on 24 September 2009 and Transport Scotland is currently in the process of negotiating with objectors. Subject to satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, it is hope the road will be open to traffic in 2012/13. It is hoped that Draft Road Orders for the preferred route option of Pulpit Rock will be published in summer 2010, with construction completion estimated for 2012/13, subject to the requirement for a Public Local Inquiry.

‘Regarding the A83, in the next financial year, 2010/11, structural maintenanc schemes to the value of more than £2.6 million are programmed, subject to available funding and competing priorities across the trunk road network. These include works west of Dalchenna Point, at Loch Shira, Birdfield, Meall Dubh, Furnace, Duncholgan and Glaschoine. Within our Route Accident Reduction Plan Phase 1, we are taking forward schemes between Arrochar and Lochgilphead. Works planned, including high friction surfacing, bend assessment, signing and lining, installation of verge markers and cats eyes, are due to be completed by the end of March 2011.

‘In terms of the Rest and be Thankful, by the end of spring 2010 (For Argyll: can anyone put a date on ‘the end of Spring’?), we intend to have in place a  £750,000 permanent solution to the problem at that part of the hill. The improvement scheme will involve building a new culvert under the road, strengthening the embankment below the road and installing new drainage above and below the road. The first phase of works has been completed with the installation of remote sensing equipment to assist ongoing monitoring of movement of the hillside. At the same time new debris flow fencing has been installed which will reduce the risk of landslips reaching the roadside. New ‘wig wag’ signs will also be installed as part of a 2-year pilot scheme to test their efficiency as a warning system for drivers. The area of ground which is vulnerable to landslides in this vicinity is extensive. Consequently, whilst this work cannot guarantee that future Iand slips will not impact on the road network, there is no doubt that the work that Transport Scotland and Scotland Transerv are taking forward to deliver mitigation measures will improve safety on the route.

‘In addition, Intervention 5 of the STPR recommends route management on a number of road corridors, including the A83. This includes a series of initiatives to implement road-based improvements with a combination of network optimisation through route management and targeted investment in relatively local interventions. This intervention would include a variety of localised improvements that would be undertaken in tandem, and driven by, the trunk road maintenance contracts.

‘The pace at which these can be delivered will also be dictated by funding pressures’.