Roads reopen along Rest and Be Thankful after 11 landslides

Eleven landslips hit hillsides along the trunk road over a 3km stretch, with two leaving debris strewn across the route.

Roads have reopened along the Rest and Be Thankful after drivers were forced to take a 60-mile diversion for two days due to landslides.

Emergency services attended the scene at the A83 where they shut it in both directions from Arrochar to the A815 at Dunoon around 7am on Monday.

Eleven landslips hit hillsides along the trunk road over a 3km stretch, with two leaving debris strewn across the route.

An original diversion via the B839/B828 Lochgoilhead was then shut due to a further landslide.

Drivers were forced to take a 60-mile detour via the A819, A85, and A82 throughout Monday and some of Tuesday morning.

Police and BEAR Scotland remained in attendance at the scene on Monday afternoon, with debris on the road at Butterbridge and Glen Kinglas.

Crews worked to remove debris material from the trunk road and associated roadside ditches.

The A83 reopened at 9.30am following a clean-up operation and safety inspections carried out by BEAR Scotland.

At Glen Kinglas, traffic lights are in place to allow further culvert cleaning to be undertaken.

Traffic lights also remain in place at the Rest and Be Thankful to facilitate ongoing ground investigations.

Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “Our teams have been working hard to clear debris from the road, culverts and ditches at Butterbridge, Glen Kinglas and the Rest and Be Thankful.

“After the further period of heavy rain last night, inspections were carried out at first light this morning. With clear-up operations near complete and with no further slope movements observed, the A83 trunk road was able to reopen at 9:30am this morning.

“We will continue to monitor hillside conditions over the next few days and thank the community and road users for their patience.”