A NEW A83 route close to the existing trunk road has been identified as the Scottish Government's favoured solution to decades of landslides near the Rest and Be Thankful.

Transport Scotland says its preferred route, via Glen Croe, is "more cost-effective and quicker to deliver, having significantly less environmental constraints".

The route was one of 11 options put forward last year for a long-term solution to years of disruption for road traffic between central Scotland and Argyll.

Other suggested options included building bridges across the Gareloch and Loch Long and diverting traffic through Helensburgh, and even building bridges linking Ayrshire, Cumbrae, Bute and Cowal.

Having now confirmed the Glen Croe route – which previously won the backing of Argyll and Bute Council – as its preferred corridor, Transport Scotland now plans to put together five detailed options for an alternative route through the area.

READ MORE: Businesses air new safety concerns over decades of A83 landslide headaches

The agency also says a new debris cage, catch pit, debris fencing and flood mitigation measures will also be taken forward over the coming months to provide the A83 with greater protection.

Transport secretary Michael Matheson MSP said he understood the "frustration and disruption" caused by years of closures to the trunk road in Glen Croe.

"We are progressing substantial short-term investment in the existing A83 including installing a debris cage and new culvert, construction of an additional catchpit, debris fencing and flood mitigation measures at the River Croe crossing.

“I can also announce today that I have asked Transport Scotland to progress work to look at a medium-term resilient route through Glen Croe, including consideration of the Forestry Track, the Old Military Road and other options on land already owned by Scottish ministers.

“Depending on the statutory consents required, this work will seek to develop finalised proposals within 18 months.

READ MORE: '100,000 tons of debris waiting to fall' on to A83 near Rest and Be Thankful

“Along with this work on the existing A83, we are working in parallel to identify a permanent solution to the road at the Rest and Be Thankful.

“Following the conclusion of the preliminary assessment of the corridor options under consideration, the preferred corridor has been identified as the Glen Croe corridor.

“Identifying the preferred route corridor is a major step forward for this vital work and we are now pushing forward to look at five alternative options within that online corridor and starting the process shortly to appoint design consultants for this work.

“Following substantial public feedback our future assessment work will place particular emphasis on the timescale to deliver these options.”

The government now wants interested parties to give feedback on its preferred route corridor, and possible route options, between now and the end of May.

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