The first 2013 meeting of the A83 Taskforce is today, 25th January.
Members will have had the chance to consider the Jacobs report on the options for the future of the A83 in detail, since they were given the report during their last meeting and could not possibly respond to it sensibly in those circumstances.
In the meantime, senior Argyll business figure, Donald Clark had raised the possibility of a variation of the galleries option which would cost significantly less than that contained and dismissed in the consultants’ report; and has also brought in an internationally recognised specialist civil engineer, John Addison, who has written a short report on this new option that we understand will be made available to the meeting.
We will report later on the content of that report.
We expect the issue of the trunking of the A83 for the rest of its length between Kennacraig and Campbeltown also to be raised. That is a major issue, with Transport Scotland having adopted a paradoxical position.
The Ferries Division of the department intends to introduce a summer pilot ferry service as a new leg of the Ardrossan to Arran route, going on to Campbeltown three days a week. – hoping to encourage vehicle and passenger movements to the area.
But the Roads Division of the same department seems content to see the increased traffic made possible by the Ferries Division dumped, coming and going, onto the untrunked stage of this arterial road through Kintyre.
We also expect the meeting to be given news of the date for the opening of the emergency diversion route below the A83; and of the work done on the fragile hillside over the festive period.
