April 16
A temporary traffic light system is set to replace the current convoy operations on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful during daylight hours from today (April 16) to help reduce motorist waiting times when passing through the area.
One lane of the A83 has been open under convoy operation during the daytime when weather conditions allow since 8 January, with an escort vehicle safely managing traffic past the steep channel formed by landslips last year.
The A83 switched to 24-hour convoy operation earlier this week following a successful week-long trial.
The traffic lights will allow waiting vehicles to pass along the A83 quicker during daytime hours rather than being required to wait for an escort under the convoy system, which will mean reduced journey times through Glen Croe. The convoy system will remain in place for night-time road operation given the challenges of monitoring hillside conditions during the hours of darkness.
It is hoped that switching to daytime use of traffic signals ahead of travel restrictions easing across Scotland will help minimise disruption to road users on this section of the A83.
A convoy system will remain an option for A83 operation but will only be considered where weather or hillside conditions require a greater level of control of trunk road traffic passing through the glen. The Old Military Road local diversion route, a single-track road that runs parallel to the A83 through the centre of Glen Croe, will also remain on standby ready to be used as a safety precaution should weather conditions deteriorate in the area or changes are observed on the hillside.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “Switching to traffic light operation on the A83 at the Rest will help to reduce motorist waiting times, meaning less disruption to journeys into Argyll.
“With travel restrictions easing across the country later this week we’re expecting an increase in traffic across the road network, so hopefully this change in operation will help reduce any impact to journey times while still ensuring we are keeping people safe when travelling through Glen Croe.
“Teams have made good progress in strengthening the mitigation measures above and below the A83, which has allowed us to move to 24-hour operation of one lane of the A83 safely.”
