Cut Off

[BlowingOldBoots]

Scottish Road Maintenance Contractors attend training for A816 rock removal. Safety Officer not happy.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ouLYNGJpng3rjz2j/

It is taking quite a bit of time, not a lot of visible progress, they must be using the Rest and Be Thankful norm model for landslide project works timing.

[wully]

They have had machinery sitting on rental for months not doing anything..kind of like me at work

[BlowingOldBoots]

Recent trip back from boat yesterday, there is now a different set up at the A816 Ardrishaig to Oban road at the land slip above Loch Craignish.

The new road that by passes the landslip was closed and a new single lane contraflow was in place on the original road below the landslip. Large safety fencing has been installed on the lane nearest to and across the bottom of the landslip. The other lane is now in use with traffic lights and escorted convoy, much like the Rest and Be Thankful.

Perhaps they will modify the new bypass and allow both the new and old to be used to remove the need for traffic lights and convoy. Looking up the landslide, there are a lot of big rocks and soft looking earth still in place, hence the risk is probably very real of further slumps in mud and rocks.

Also at the Cuilfail Hotel (Kilmelford), it looks like they are now starting to work on the new bridge or perhaps strengthening the banks as large digger was working away. The road is open as normal.

[wully]

Traffic on the road at the bealach is now back onto the original road , single track only, under traffic light control.

No idea what the forward plan is now, possible upgrade on the bypass section to the new, permanent road perhaps?

[BlowingOldBoots]

Topically https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g00xreedno

The pits and fences at the RBT worked and stopped any damage to the road, and of course passing cars. However, the interesting bit was this:-

Transport Scotland announced last June that a mile-long tunnel costing £470m is to be built to protect vehicles from landslips on the A83.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... t-65781089

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/nl ... d-bute.pdf

[BlowingOldBoots]

Went up to the boat last Thursday and found that the Rest and Be Thankful had returned to a dual lane road, with the traffic lights gone. A joy to drive again with no delays. Before Christmas it was still the one lane traffic light system. Today, it was gloriously wet, a thaw has set in and the burns and streams are running in spate, the straths flooded making for an interesting drive home. Then I arrived at the Rest and Be Thankful and it is closed, all back on the Old Military Road.

Whatever they have been doing for the last few years is pathetic. Large trenches have been dug between the hill and road to capture land slips, more netting has been put up to catch rocks, and lots, and lots of trees planted. A total waste of time if they have to divert to the Old Military Road every time it rains heavy.

Once they start with the lid over the road it will bring years of delay. Backward logic. Just build a new elevated road right up the middle of the glen. Transport Scotland, failing the citizens transport needs while lining the pockets of whoever does surveys, studies, vehicle escorting and traffic light rentals.