Keith Brown faces questions over state of lifeline A83

A HOLYROOD committee hopes to question transport minister Keith Brown about problems on a “lifeline” road.

MSPs on the public petitions committee want to question him about the A83 after councillors in Argyll and Bute raised concerns. The road has been closed several times at Rest and Be Thankful due to landslips. The Argyll First group have now put forward a petition calling on MSPs to urge the Scottish Government to take action.

Councillor Douglas Philand described the road, which links Tarbet and Campbeltown, as “not only a lifeline for our residents but a lifeline for tourists”.

He added: “It’s not just the physical closure of the road, it’s the impact that has on residents, on tourists, on produce going in, the shellfish and fresh fish going out from our fishing villages.”

Local MSPs backed their call, with Mike Russell, SNP member for Argyll and Bute, saying work was needed to make the road “fit for purpose”.

Labour Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant also said the A83 needed upgraded: “I think it needs to be trunked in its entirety right down to Campbeltown.”

Tory MSP Jamie McGrigor said the road was “every bit as important” as the M8 is to Edinburgh.