The A83 Rest and Be Thankful has become a symbol of the Scottish government's inability to deliver on its promises, with a persistent road crisis that has been a decade and a half in the making. This iconic tourist route, a vital link between Argyll and the central belt, has been plagued by landslides, causing closures, diversions, and disruption for years. The Scottish government's taskforce, established in 2012, has been unable to provide a permanent solution, despite years of planning, consultations, and design work. The latest development is a letter from former transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, who passed the decision to the incoming government, leaving the new transport secretary, Stephen Flynn, to deal with the crisis. This raises questions about the pace of progress and the commitment of successive governments to deliver a solution. The Rest and Be Thankful campaign group, supported by the Road Haulage Association, has made an appeal to the new government to finally deliver. The problem is not just the lack of a permanent solution, but also the slow progress and the impact on daily life. The route is a lifeline for communities and businesses in Argyll and Bute, and the disruptions caused by landslides can have significant consequences. The Scottish government has invested heavily in short-term mitigation measures, such as catch pits and drainage works, but these have not been enough to prevent the crisis. The proposed long-term solution, a mile-long debris shelter, has been held up in statutory processes, with no confirmed date for construction to begin. The delays are particularly significant because of the role the route plays in daily life across Argyll. The Scottish government's commitment to delivering a permanent and resilient solution is a priority, but the process has been slow and frustrating for campaigners. The A83 Rest and Be Thankful has become a symbol of the challenges facing the Scottish government in delivering on its promises, and the need for a more efficient and effective approach to infrastructure planning and delivery.
