For Argyll published the following important travel news: A major 600 ton landslide has closed the A83 - in both directions - at Rest and be Thankful. The landslide has occurred on exactly the same spot as the last one in October 2007. This saw the A83 closed for several weeks. Since October 2007 the A83 at this point has been reduced to traffic light access to a single lane. There was concern that the this earlier landslide had undermined the foundation of the road as water and mud had gone through below as well as above the surface.

The A83 is closed between the A815 at Cairndow on Loch Fyne and the A814 at Arrochar on Loch Long. The closure of the road will add an extra hour or so to your travel time coming by bus or car from Glasgow to Kennacraig and vice versa. Diversions are in place and are as follows:

Northward via the A82 from Tarbet to Crianlarich, then west on to Tyndrum and then south on the A85 to Dalmally and on to Oban. Traffic heading into Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islay ferry at Kennacraig, should, after Dalmally, take the A819 south for Inveraray, picking up the A83 again at Inveraray.

Southward take the A819 to Oban for Inveraray, turning right onto the A85 for Tyndrum at the T-junction at the head of Loch Awe. At Tyndrum, turn right onto the A82 for Crianlarich. At Crianlarich, still on the A82, turn sharply right for Tarbet and Loch Lomond, picking up the A83 again at Tarbet.

the BBC has more info and an image of the landslide. There is another post on this blog with possible alternative routes to Islay.

Update: The A83 has been re-opened since 10 September 16.00 hours as a single lane, traffic light controlled.

Tag: landslide a83 travel