A83 Rest and Be Thankful Set for First Unrestricted Traffic Flow in Over Two Years

Drivers using the landslide-prone A83 Rest and Be Thankful route in Argyll are set to benefit from unrestricted traffic flow for the first time in more than two years after temporary traffic controls are scheduled to be removed this week.

Traffic lights and lane restrictions through Glen Croe will be lifted on Friday evening following completion of the latest phase of landslide protection works along the busy route linking central Scotland with Kintyre and wider Argyll communities.

Summer relief for motorists and tourism traffic

The removal of restrictions is intended to ease congestion during the peak summer tourism season, when traffic volumes on the A83 increase significantly.

A lane closure and temporary signals have been in place since February 2024 while engineers carried out safety improvements and repairs to hillside protection systems designed to reduce the risk of debris reaching the carriageway.

The route will remain fully open through the summer before further works restart in the autumn.

Long-running landslide challenges

The Rest and Be Thankful section of the A83 has faced repeated disruption for many years due to landslides and debris flows from the steep surrounding hillsides.

More than £16m has already been spent on mitigation measures aimed at keeping the route operational during periods of severe weather and hillside movement.

Recent works focused on repairing and strengthening debris catch fencing positioned above the road after movement was detected on the hillside.

Additional protection measures included installation of a new catch fence and further ground investigation works.

Monitoring to continue

Although the road is reopening fully, authorities said the hillside will continue to be closely monitored for any signs of further instability.

BEAR Scotland, which manages the route on behalf of Transport Scotland, confirmed that additional works will continue later in the year, including:

• Maintenance of landslide barriers

• Further fencing upgrades

• Hillside stabilisation measures

BEAR Scotland north west improvements manager Michael Baxter said removing the traffic lights during the busy summer period would help improve journey times on one of the region’s most important transport corridors.

Boost for local economy

The move has been welcomed by local campaigners and businesses who have long argued that delays and closures on the A83 have significant economic impacts across Argyll.

Rest and Be Thankful Campaign chair John Gurr said easier access during the tourism season would benefit residents, visitors and local businesses that rely heavily on summer trade.

Long-term solution still under development

Transport Scotland said planning and design work continues on permanent long-term protection measures for the route.

Proposals include construction of a large debris flow shelter designed to shield the road from future landslides.

The structure, which could extend for around a mile, is currently estimated to cost at least £470m and forms part of wider efforts to improve the long-term resilience of the strategically important A83 corridor.