A HELENSBURGH charity has renewed calls for a “high road” solution to be considered as part of “once in a lifetime” A82 upgrade plans.
Helensburgh and District Access Trust (HADAT) has voiced its opposition to Transport Scotland’s preferred “low road” option between Tarbet and Inverarnan, which would largely follow the current trunk road.
The government body is planning a significant upgrade of the A82 along the north-west shore of the loch, a stretch long regarded as an impediment to good road transport links between the central belt of Scotland and the west Highlands.
HADAT convener John Urquhart says the group believes its proposal offers solutions to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s concerns regarding parking and promoting sustainable travel.
Mr Urquhart said: “Our position is that that the upgrade offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to free the beautiful loch shore, its wildlife habitats, dwellings and villages from the curse of heavy traffic.
READ MORE: Helensburgh access group to plead for 'no low road' in A82 Loch Lomond upgrade plans
“We believe the immediate lochside zone is far too precious to sacrifice to a new highway, and as an exemplar we would point to Lake Como in Italy where a new main road has hugely improved the experience of the lake side there for locals and visitors alike.”
The Trust’s proposals would see a road built above the railway line, preserving ancient oaklands along the shore and freeing up the existing road for safe cycling and local access.
HADAT also hopes the plans could develop Ardlui as a visitor hub, easing the pressures on Luss and other villages.
Mr Urquhart said: "We are as aware as anyone of the strategic importance of the A82 route and wish to see it upgraded as quickly as possible.
"However Scotland’s National Parks were set up 'to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of their area, to promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area and to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public', and we believe the current preferred alignment proposals fail to respect these founding principles.
"A 'High Road' alternative respecting these tenets would preserve the ancient oak woods along the shore while freeing up the existing road for safe cycling and walking, local access, parking and access to the loch.
"Not only would such an approach allow people and wildlife to reconnect with the loch, but it would also help resolve many of the increasingly serious and so far intractable issues in the area around road safety and visitor management.
"Another major advantage would be that traffic would continue to flow unimpeded during construction, while the construction process itself would also be unimpeded by traffic on the old road, greatly reducing construction costs and time.
"A 'High Road' would be much straighter and safer than any shore road could ever be and would afford stunning views over Loch Lomond."
Mr Urquhart said the Trust's understanding is that Jacobs Fairhurst, the engineering firm given the job of identifying the best solution for the A82 upgrade, considered a 'high road' option but rejected it on the grounds of cost.
Transport Scotland said it remains committed to upgrading the route and is following a “rigorous” assessment process.
A spokesperson said: “Maintaining the natural beauty of this key lifeline is an integral part of the design of this scheme and as with all our major projects, consideration is being given to mitigating disruption to all road users during construction as we progress the development and assessment of the scheme.
“When completed, the scheme will bring improved road safety and journey time reliability, connecting businesses and communities in the Highlands and Islands with the central belt.”
Kenny Auld, head of visitor services at the National Park Authority, added: “The A82 is a vitally important route through the National Park and we recognise the significance of Transport Scotland’s upgrade plans.
“We will be giving careful consideration to the proposals and respond with our views as a statutory consultee at the formal consultation stage.”
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