A83 road closure

[ionnsaigh]

The council should be obliged, ( at the very least ) to provide detailed maps of the diversion .

[Beachcomber]

The council should be obliged, ( at the very least ) to provide detailed maps of the diversion .

What? And post them to everybody in the UK?

Incidentally, there's a really good online mapping service available free of charge from Ordnance Survey, so anyone with a 'net connection can go look it up themselves.

Just click on This Link.

[Ags]

That picture is quite amazing JS! We left town today at 8 and were at Braehead by 11.20 - Loch Lomond after Tarbet was eerily quiet!! We left the SGH at 3.10 and were back in Campbeltown by 7pm despite Radio Scotland telling us the whole way home that the road was blocked both ways at Inveraray! Guess we hit it well but we were stopped completely for about 20 minutes and that was it! If you are not in a major rush its quite a nice drive - and the Drovers Inn at the end of Loch Lomond is extremely nice if you do happen to get stuck

[John S]

Update from TranServe Scotland

Weather conditions at the landslip site yesterday 8th November 2007 were extremely poor with heavy rain showers and storm force winds. The severe weather created safety risks that prevented any of the specialist contractors climbing the steep slopes.

All the known geotechnical data available has been considered together with the complex engineering works carried out to date. Following discussions between Scotland TranServ and Transport Scotland and an assessment of risks it has been decided that a staged reopening of the road should be undertaken.

A83 will therefore be re-opened to single lane working, controlled by traffic lights from the hours of 0800 hrs Saturday 10th November until 0800 hrs Monday 12th November. Before this can be undertaken, it is necessary to carry out a package of measures including erection of safety fencing, removal of debris from the carriageway, drainage ditches and the slope and the removal of the temporary diversion signage. This work will be undertaken today, Friday 9th November to allow safe passage of traffic once the road is re-opened.

The opening of the road is of course dependent on the risk of further material movement on the hillside remaining at its present level. ScotlandTranServ will maintain a 24 hour presence on site over the weekend

There remains further work regarding final removal of debris however this work is weather dependent and will require a further road closure of between 24 to 48 hours. It is intended to undertake this work at the earliest opportunity and forecasts indicate the weather window might be Monday 12th November/Tuesday 13th November.


Thereafter the section of road directly affected by the landslip will remain under single lane working controlled by traffic lights and this traffic management will be in place for some time as further more permanent strengthening works are undertaken.

Scotland TranServ and Transport Scotland appreciate the understanding shown by the communities of Argyll during this time as the complex engineering works took place. The safety of road users and operatives has been the primary concern throughout this operation. Both Scotland TranServ and Transport Scotland recognise the tremendous effort of all staff and contractors involved in this operation especially during the extreme weather conditions.

Further updates will follow regarding the closures for the final phase of debris removal.

[Mary G]

This is a very good communication from TransServe. Thanks for posting the full text, John (not everyone uses links that people post, and sometimes they are dynamic, so the content changes depending on when the link is clicked).

It is good to understand fully the background to what is happening, why nothing was done yesterday, and when they think more will be done. It makes the inconvenience involved that bit easier to thole.

[Beachcomber]

That's good news, John. Fingers-crossed they can keep it at least partially open for the time being.

[bill]

That was the first time I have been on the Crianlarich road,and it was'nt as bad as I had expected.Apart from the first few miles heading out of Tarbet towards Dalmally which I thought was pretty bad.

[petewick]

That was the first time I have been on the Crianlarich road,and it was'nt as bad as I had expected.Apart from the first few miles heading out of Tarbet towards Dalmally which I thought was pretty bad.

Have been on that road once bill and I think you mean the stretch between Tarbet and Ardlui, that is pretty ropey.


petewick

[LO]

Here's an update from Traffic Scotland from around lunchtime today. More or less a re-hash of earlier one but at least the prospect of it opening tomorrow seems to be firming up. Pity I'm going up the road tonight! Anyway, keep checking their site- as Mary G said earlier this is a dynamic situation and the info might change depending on weather etc. (www.trafficscotland.org)

A83 - Re-opening Saturday 10th November

Road users are advised that the A83 will be re-opened to single lane working, controlled by traffic lights from the hours of 08:00 saturday 10th November until 08:00 Monday 12th November. Before this can be undertaken, it is necessary to carry out a package of measures including erection of safety fencing, removal of debris from the carriageway, drainage ditches and the slope and the removal of the temporary diversion signage. This work will be undertaken today, Friday 9th November, to allow safe passage of traffic once the road is re-opened.

The opening of the road is of course dependent on the risk of further material movement on the hillside remaining at its present level.

There remains further work regarding final removal of debris however this work is weather dependent and will require a further road closure of between 24 to 48 hours. It is intended to undertake this work at the earliest opportunity and forecasts indicate the weather window might be Monday 12th November/Tuesday 13th November.

Thereafter the section of road directly affected by the landslip will remain under single lane working controlled by traffic lights and this traffic management will be in place for some time as further more permanent strengthening works are undertaken.

Diversion Routes until 08:00hrs Saturday 10th November 2007:

Eastbound Traffic:
- A819 (Inveraray)
- A82 (Tarbet)

Westbound Traffic:
- A82 (Tarbet)
- A819 (Inveraray)

Access to the A815 from the A83 has been maintained.

[Mr.Everready]

Latest I heard was that it's opening this evening and not having to close again...obviously assuming that there is no more damage.

[John S]

Further update

Scotland TranServ has completed well ahead of schedule the preparation work at road level for the A83 for reopening.

As a result of this excellent progress the A83 will now reopen to all traffic at 1600hrs today Friday 9th November 2007.

The planned weather dependent road closure on Monday 12 November and Tuesday 13 November will still take place to permit the essential final stage of debris clearance from the upper levels of the hillside.

The section of road affected by the landslip will remain as a single lane controlled by traffic lights.

The A83 at this point is not suitable for abnormal loads with or without an escort.

Looks like you'll be ok LO

[Mary G]

This is a very good piece written by Alan Cochrane, a first class journalist who says it as he sees it, in my view. I like his writing ... not much else in that paper for me!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/10/nroad110.xml

[Annie]

Well, is it open or naw open???

[Malky]

This is a very good piece written by Alan Cochrane, a first class journalist who says it as he sees it, in my view. I like his writing ... not much else in that paper for me!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/10/nroad110.xml

Saw that in the paper - it is a good article and sums up the situation very well. Alan Cochrane never pulls his punches

Malky

[John S]

Well, is it open or naw open???

Untill 08.00am Monday 12th. when it closes for 24 - 48 hours after which it should remain open on one lane. will post any updates as they come in.