Great news and nice we promo on Campbeltown too.
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/237629- ... -upgraded/
The main route between Kennacraig and Campbeltown will become a trunk road within the next year.
First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed on Wednesday that the Scottish Government would become responsible for maintenance of the 51km stretch of the A83 after the trunking process was completed.
Speaking in Campbeltown during a Scottish Government cabinet meeting, Mr Salmond said the upgrade was the culmination of £12m investment in improving the route since his government came to power in 2007.
Trunking would improve traffic flow as well as provide a boost for local communities and businesses, he added.
The First Minister said: “Improving transport connections to all corners of Scotland is vital to ensure local communities and businesses prosper and play their part in sustaining economic growth across the country. So far, Transport Scotland has invested nearly £12m in improvements to the A83. This is in addition to the £3m package of works which included delivery of a local diversion route at the Rest and Be Thankful, and we are committed to investing a further £4m this financial year to mitigate the effects of landslips at the location.
"However, we want to build on that and improve the road network in Kintyre even further. I am therefore delighted to announce that from next year, the 51km section of the A83 between Kennacraig and Campbeltown is set to become a trunk road, with operation and maintenance the responsibility of Transport Scotland. With the 106km of road between Kennacraig and Tarbet already trunked, this will allow for more effective and efficient route management for this vital road through Argyll.
“Kintyre is nationally significant within the renewables and tourism sectors, with a local wind generation company employing more than 130 in Machrihanish, and the town also playing host to internationally-renowned golf courses. That is why we need to continue the improvements to the transport infrastructure and make the region more accessible for local businesses and visitors.
“This announcement adds to a raft of recent transport improvements to Kintyre, with a new three-year pilot ferry service between Campbeltown, Arran and Ardrossan – the first new CalMac route in nearly 20 years – as well as a new Sunday air service between Campbeltown and Glasgow which is being piloted this summer and next.
“And the recently built £2m emergency route through Glen Croe will give local communities further reassurance that Kintyre will stay open for business if we face another unwanted landslide at the Rest and Be Thankful. We want to improve existing links and add more connections to and from the Kintyre region to support tourism and the local economy to open up further one of the most beautiful corners of Scotland.”