‘Considerable’ clean-up operation under way after A83 landslides

A “considerable” clean-up operation has been launched in response to landslides that blocked a road near a popular Highland beauty spot.

BEAR Scotland says an estimated 76mm of rain in some areas fell over a five-hour period in the early hours of Monday morning, causing landslides on the A83, near Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll and Bute.

The mud and rubble has led to closures between Ardgartan and the A815 Dunoon road end.

The worst affected areas are at Butterbridge and Glen Kinglas, which saw 76mm of rainfall.

A total of 11 landslips have been documented by BEAR Scotland, who said it was observed on the hillsides adjacent to the trunk road over a 3km (1.86-mile) stretch.

Clean-up crews have been working to remove the debris from the road, and from ditches and culverts.

With more rainfall expected in the area later on Monday, BEAR is keeping the road closed until Tuesday when further inspections are due to take place.

There are diversions in place on the A819, the A85, and the A82. It has meant that, at worst, drivers now face a 60-mile diversion.

Western Ferries services between Gourock and Dunoon also remain available with four boats operating.

Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s north-west representative, said: “The scale of the operation to clear the A83 is considerable, but our teams are working hard with partners to reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.

“With further heavy rain expected, our priority is to continue geo-technical inspections of the affected hillsides and to clear material to allow the road to reopen. We thank local residents and road users for their patience while this work takes place.”

Real-time journey information is available at www.traffic.gov.scot and via X on @trafficscotland.

Ferry service details can be found at www.western-ferries.co.uk.