PLANS are in place to keep motorists driving at safer speeds in Bute and Cowal, an official has said after a councillor aired concerns.
The matter was raised after an accident at Sandbank, with Argyll and Bute Council recently having announced more investment in the area’s roads as part of its budget. A landslip also took place on the A815 in January.
It was also reported that a permanent fix for the sea wall at Blairmore could be in place by the end of the next financial year.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s Bute and Cowal area committee on Tuesday, March 3.
Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) said: “Thank you to the roads department for the A815 where the landslip was. I could not believe the response, and the use of emergency powers allowing the lorries full of food. The aisles were becoming empty.
“One thing that is airing itself at every community council meeting at Kilmun is the sea wall at Blairmore. I understand there is a problem with the design of the sea wall, which is complicating things.
“But it is always on the agenda. Is there anything you can bring back in the future?”
Mark Calder, the council’s project manager, responded: “The position is that the design work is ongoing, and the hope is that we will see work on site in the next financial year. We are looking to refine that to a more accurate timescale.
“I will make a note that when the designs are ready, the hope is a permanent fix which will be progressed within the financial year.”
Councillor Gordon Blair (SNP, Cowal) said: “I concur with what Councillor Sinclair has said, as there are real concerns at Kilmun, but also to thank those from the roads department. Now that we are into the better weather hopefully things will start to improve.
“Following the budget, I wanted to check that there will be an ongoing lan regarding areas where there are concerns on traffic management issues.
“Yesterday (Monday, March 2) at Sandbank was yet another accident. The community has been keen for traffic management, and you have looked at the situation in Minard, where you have a one-way system with lights.”
Mr Calder said: “There are three separate things at play. One is the significant allocation from the road reconstruction through the budget, and that will be progressed in the usual way and will go to the environment, development and infrastructure committee.
“Our department is going through a redesign, and in the long term future, picking up on traffic management is a key consideration as we look to get the appropriate resource to take that forward.
“There is also a project ongoing called Project 20, so we have an officer within our service working on that. It is being funded by Transport Scotland.
“There was a session in Helensburgh and Lomond on Monday, and I believe this area is next. I would expect to see some contact through the chair to arrange a discussion.
“The matter of speed reduction will be picked up as part of Project 20, but once the redesign is in place, there is the intention to look at traffic regulation orders in each area.”
