A83 could reopen today as work resumes to clear Rest and Be Thankful landslide

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on 03/08/2012 11:56

THE A83 Rest and be Thankful pass could be reopened later today if it is found to be undamaged from Wednesday’s landslide, officials said as clearance work to move 1,000 tonnes of debris blocking the major tourist route resumed.

The clean-up operation in Glen Croe started yesterday afternoon but was later suspended when the limits of a safe working zone around the landslide were reached.

A spokesman for Scotland Transerv, which maintains the trunk road linking Glasgow with Kintyre, said today: “Following an early inspection this morning, operations are ongoing to clear the site with a view to opening the road at the earliest opportunity.”

Infrastructure secretary Alex Neil is due to visit the site today to view progress.

Drivers are facing a detour of up to 50 miles, via Tyndrum and Dalmally to the north or the Gourock-Dunoon ferry to the south.

The landslide started on Wednesday afternoon following prolonged heavy rain on a steep slope above the road, south of the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint at its junction with the B828 Lochgoilhead road.