Three “catch pits” are being created along the side of a landslide-prone Argyll road.
The A83 Tarbet to Campbeltown route has been closed for extended periods over the years due to a series of landslides at The Rest and Be Thankful hill pass.
Yesterday, one lane was closed due to an increased risk of rockfall due to heavy rain. Motorists were advised to exercise caution when passing.
The latest phase of mitigation measures is underway with construction teams preparing the site for the £1.84million project.
The main part of the operation will involve the excavation of three debris flow catch-pits at the bottom of the slope next to the A83.
This first phase is designed to stop debris from landslides on the channels above reaching the road, helping keep the A83 open if there is a landslide.
The pits have been designed to provide additional mitigation measures to the existing debris fences already in place on the slopes of the mountainside, by providing storage capacity for 12,000 tonnes of debris from potential landslips.
They are located in strategic areas along the bottom of the hillside where the latest modelling techniques have suggested the greatest need for additional protection measures.
The designs and plans for the pits were endorsed at the A83 Taskforces held earlier this year.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative said: “We’re pleased to begin preliminary works to prepare the site ahead of the future debris flow catch-pits that will be constructed later this year.
“The installation of the next stages of the mitigation measures, together with the fences and debris flow catch-pit already in place at the Rest and be Thankful, will provide more protection resilience against any future landslips blocking this key route.
“Having our teams go in now to create a safe working area and access points on the slope means the construction of the debris flow catch-pits can be safely started as soon as the designs are finalised.
“The temporary traffic lights are necessary to keep our teams safe during this phase, but we’ve taken steps to minimise any disruption by removing traffic lights outside of working hours.
“We encourage road users to plan their journeys in advance.”
Temporary traffic lights are in place during the preliminary works each day from 7am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, with no lights in place outside of working hours. They are expected to be in operation for the next three weeks.
