A83 The Worst Trunk Road In Scotland

[zeus]

Telling us what we all knew already http://forargyll.com/2011/02/a83-to-cam ... o-kintyre/
The Herald reported on 16th February 2011 that an Audit Scotland report has found that Argyll and Bute is, by a very significant degree, the worst performing local authority in Scotland on roads maintenance.

The recent report identified 18% – nearly one in five – of council-owned roads in Argyll and Bute, as fit only for placing in the ‘red’ category – meaning that they require urgent repair.

Audit Scotland’s previous recommendations that roads authorities address a growing backlog in maintenance work are shown to have been ignored during the economic boom times – ‘not fixing the roof when the sun was shining’,

The result of the Audit Scotland investigation showed that 8.5% of the 3,200-mile network owned and operated by Scotland’s 32 local authorities are now in such a state of disrepair that they will need major resurfacing work, an increase from the 6.2% which was the picture two years ago.

The data in the report is taken from a survey Audit Scotland carried out last year, before the record cold temperatures in December 2010. That this has happened since the data gathering exercise means that it is probable that the problems are now measurably worse.

The shame and the dangers of the A83
Audit Scotland notes that the trunk roads and motorways – for which the Government is responsible through Transport Scotland – have also deteriorated, while spending on maintenance has fallen.

Argyll’s A83 is arguably the worst trunk road in Scotland.

It has extensive sections, including some fast straights between Tarbert and Campbeltown, whose condition would shame a single tracker to a croft in the back of beyond.

The heavy lorry transports serving Campbeltown must travel this road and are forced to cut corners to stay out of the broken sides of the roads which could derail them. This leaves cars travelling in the opposite direction forced to dive for the ditches and pray that they themselves survive the broken edges and portholes on their side.

Vehicles legitimately passing other vehicles on the many long stretches down the west coast of Kintyre – that used to such a delight to drive – can find themselves faced with sudden and very deep potholes at points where they cannot avoid them. Walloping into these at legal passing speeds risks bottoming out and damaging the underside of the car – as well as losing control.

This is now an unacceptably dangerous road.

It is also the trunk road to Kintyre, the remote, mythical, beautiful region in serious need of economic regeneration.

There are entrepreneurs in Kintyre, with imagination – vision even – committed to taking the commercial risk of large scale initiatives in the interests of their area.

We’re thinking of the Machrihanish Dunes golf resort development, with the Ugadale Cottages, the planned renovation of the important Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and the Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish.

We’re thinking of its cross-marketing with the existing Machrihanish Golf Course, designed by the golfers guru, Old Tom Morris.

We’re thinking of the Kintyre Express initiative which is starting a new fast passenger service by sea from Campbeltown to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland on 27th May 2011 and which is linking up with the Machrihanish Dunes operation.

The Kintyre Express is also running special trips from Campbeltown straight into Portrush Harbour on the north coast of Ireland, for the day of the internationally renowned motorbike race, the North West 200.

We’re thinking of West Coast Motors with Scottish Citylink which will, on 23rd May 2011, start to run five return services a day between Glasgow and Campbeltown, travelling the full length of the A82/A83 and with a sixth daily service available daily from Glasgow to Ardrishaig.

This company is working with the Portavadie Marina in Cowal – another high quality private sector development in a great location, crucial to Argyll and with ambition and imagination in the memorable architecture of its buildings.

Access to five return coaches a day – running between Campbeltown and the Mull of Kintyre and Glasgow – with access from the short ferry across Loch Fyne to Tarbert, is a substantial extension to what will be possible for sailing visitors to the marina at Portavadie.

All of these serious investments rely on good road access and all such enterprises depend for their success on word of mouth recommendations.

Who is going to advise their friends to travel this road to get to the genuinely fabulous experiences waiting for them at the other end of it?

If we want high-end tourism we need decent access, not a thrill-and-spills white-knuckle ride that knocks seven bells out of expensive motors.

Only those training to sit on mechanical bucking broncos at fairs and hunt balls would be up for the sheer masochism of such a trip.

Economic development starts and ends with access.

Transport Scotland is betraying the entrepreneurs vital to Argyll – and specifically in Kintyre – by not fulfilling its responsibilities for trunk road conditions here.

We are drawing this matter to the attention of Argyll and Bute’s MSP, Jim Mather and are asking him to raise the matter now with Transport Minister Keith Brown – for prompt action from Transport Scotland.

This is not just a trunk road. It is the arterial trunk road into and right through Argyll, almost to the most southerly point of Scotland’s second largest local authority area, on the threshold of Scotland’s largest city – Glasgow. This road matters. This place matters...

[jdcarra]

Telling us what we all knew already http://forargyll.com/2011/02/a83-to-cam ... o-kintyre/
The Herald reported on 16th February 2011 that an Audit Scotland report has found that Argyll and Bute is, by a very significant degree, the worst performing local authority in Scotland on roads maintenance.

Ditto.
The A83 and all others that are our bread and butter to our small communities.My own campaign over the many years when I was involved with the local Community Council as Chairman to this present day with posting in our local website http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk/ (post 23/1/11 and 1/2/11) and also raising these matters at the last Mid Argyll,Kintyre & Islay Community Safety Forum meeting.

[numberplease]

Well, all I can say is that we must be easily pleased then, because as of July/August 2008, we`ve always found the roads of Kintyre a pleasure to drive on, much better than some places we`ve been, and 100% better than the area of Fife that we were in last summer, their roads were absolutely atrocious. If the A83 is as bad as you say, then it`s certainly deteriated a lot since 2008.

[DRUMLEMEN1]

Travelled on the A83 yesterday. The amount of POT-HOLES are a disgrace and extremely bad between Tarbert and Campbeltown. They have deteriorated significantly in the last 3 years

[Crowth]

the 3,200-mile network owned and operated by Scotland’s 32 local authorities

That doesn't seem like a very high figure, it equates to only 100 miles of road per authority. Typo?

Number

Well, all I can say is that we must be easily pleased then, because as of July/August 2008, we`ve always found the roads of Kintyre a pleasure to drive on, much better than some places we`ve been, and 100% better than the area of Fife that we were in last summer, their roads were absolutely atrocious. If the A83 is as bad as you say, then it`s certainly deteriated a lot since 2008.

Seeing is believing. All the maintenance shortcutting is now surfacing (no pun intended). We're ranting on about the A83 here and that is one of the better roads. Honestly.

[D.H]

If you use Facebook there is a 'Pot holes of Argyll' Event that you can 'Attend'. Currently there are 1,262 people Attending. If we can get enough people joining this page we can raise the profile of the problem nationally.

[numberplease]

I`m sorry, I didn`t mean to seem to be makingf light of the matter, just expressing what we thought the last time we were up there in 2008. Obviously things have deteriorated massively since then, which is a shame, because the A83, and other roads in Kintyre, are amongst the most picturesque that we`ve driven along, as regards scenery. I do apologise for not seeming to appreciate your concerns and complaints.

[Crowth]

not seeming to appreciate your concerns and complaints.

Number

That's not how I read your post at all and it didn't even occur to me that you might have been making light of the situation, I know exactly where you are coming from The rate of deteriation of the roads has even surprised some of the locals (especially the council, so it seems)!

Perhaps the roads will have been patched again by the time September comes around

[numberplease]

Ah Crowth, maybe, but we`re coming in June, just hope the potholes don`t shake the caravan off the road!

[D.H]

Hi Crowth,

I think you misquoted me. Cheers

[Crowth]

Hi DH,

Don't know what's gone wrong there 'cos I clicked on Numbers quote button and it is indeed Numbers quote that has appeared in my post, but the forum has attributed it to your goodself! How odd.

My apologies for inadvertently dragging you into a possible online argument DH

[Crowth]

Ah Crowth, maybe, but we`re coming in June, just hope the potholes don`t shake the caravan off the road!

I'm getting you mixed up with another poster Number, one who is visiting Carradale in september, so let's hope the roads are in fine fettle by June.

Incidentally, I was highly surprised today when my car failed the MOT test because of two worn rear tyres. I believed they were in good order, one of them was brand new in September, but the tracking is way out and they are badly worn on the inside. To the eye they both look like new. I blame this on the condition of the roads and I now consider the council to be endebted to me by about £170. I won't hold my breath.

[daisy]

I happen to be sitting on the same table as Keith Brown, MSP, at a dinner on Monday. If I have the chance, I'll find out what he has to say for himself re the A83...I wonder if he has ever driven it?

[EMDEE]

I must say that being a fairly frequent traveller on the Oban to Campbeltown road that I have noticed a dramatic deterioration in recent months. Obviously this has been due in some part to the particularly arctic weather, and is to be expected, however inconvenient it may be. However, I have noticed that the section of the A83 from Tarbert to Campbeltown is particularly bad, and it is a case of knowing where the holes are to be able to avoid them. To the unwary, this section of the road is an absolute disgrace, and the road authorities should be ashamed of it. Is this an example of Kintyre being the forgotten part of Argyll? Probably not, as the roads in Oban town centre are also a disgrace. with all the cuts in expenditure that are being made, how can we ever hope to have roads of a reasonable standard again?

Condidering how much revenue is raised from the motorist by way of Road Tax and Fuel Duty, I would suggest that we are being taken a loan of, to put it mildly.

[russanros]

. If the A83 is as bad as you say, then it`s certainly deteriated a lot since 2008.

it has deteriorated since Feb 2010 which was when we came to these parts though some of the minor and B roads are much worse.

The weather has been bad it its fair to say, and many bad places have been patched, and a whole new bit of surface put in near the Butterbridge. I'd guess they are waiting to see February/March out before any major spends, as there could be more snow?