Torrential rains in western Scotland have caused a number of landslides, forcing ten individuals to be rescued by helicopter from their vehicles on two roads on 7 August. The HM Coastguard helicopter was called in by the Scottish police to remove the trapped drivers and passengers from the A83 and A815 roads close to Inverary, Argyll. Heavy rains meant that numerous vehicles were stuck and unable to pass the mud and water that blocked their path. There were no injuries reported from the rescue operation. Motorists are advised to stay away from the affected areas as the roads remain closed, with Transport Scotland yet to announce when they will reopen.
The A83 is a 161 km major trunk road that stretches from the shoreline of Loch Lomond to the Mull of Kintyre and southern Argyll. For some time the road has been known to be vulnerable to landslips triggered by heavy rainfall. The route through Glen Croe in the Arrochar Alps Mountains is known as the Rest and Be Thankful, owing to the fact that it was a representation of the difficulty of the journey. It is regularly interrupted by falling rocks and debris due to landslides, which forces drivers to opt for long detours, leaving motorists with a grueling journey until the road can be cleared.
Transport Scotland has proposed building a one-mile open-topped tunnel for the route, which is expected to cost up to £470m. It will help to streamline road traffic in mainland Argyll and Inner Hebrides. More than 1.3 million vehicles use the A83 route every year. Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and landslides along the section, with one closed since 7 August. It remains unknown how long Saturday’s closure will last as clearing operations have been hampered by hazardous rainfall. Stein Connolly, Chief Executive of Traffic Scotland, states that it is “very challenging” and that the heavy rainfall, a month’s worth in 24 hours, makes it “unsafe for the operative to clear the landslides and that’s what gives us an issue.”
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