A83 Rest and Be Thankful Project

First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 19 Medi 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Tim Eagle Tim Eagle Ceidwadwyr

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that Transport Scotland has spent more than £16 million on consultancy fees in relation to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful project. (S6F-03373)

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

The Government remains absolutely committed to keeping Argyll and Bute open for business, and we are acutely aware of the importance of the A83 to the communities and economy of the area. That is why we are delivering a range of measures in the short, medium and long terms to reduce the risk and impact of landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful, and the money that we have spent on consultancy will help us to achieve that. The costs that have been incurred reflect the complexity and challenges of the scheme and cover essential assessment, survey and development work, which will allow the project to progress at pace.

Photo of Tim Eagle Tim Eagle Ceidwadwyr

Last Sunday, the A83 was, once again, closed, and I am told by a constituent that it has been closed yet again this morning.

In the 17 years that the Scottish National Party Government has been in office, it has neglected not just the A83 but the A82, the A9 and the A96—I could go on. Residents and businesses are beyond exasperated. Whether it is ferries, the reaching 100 per cent—R100—programme, hospital projects or the A83, am I to assume that the neglect of that work shows that the Government does not care about rural Scotland? Can the First Minister confirm when the works on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful will actually commence?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

The work that has been undertaken on the Rest and Be Thankful, which is the focus of Mr Eagle’s question, is essential to ensuring that we have a long-term solution to an extremely challenging route. Anyone who has driven on the A83 knows how challenging the route is because of its exposed nature.

On 15 September, a movement on the hill resulted in 500 tonnes of material coming down and the closure of the A83. The Government has put in place the alternative route of the old military road, which avoids an extensive and lengthy detour, because there are no other options. That is a measure of the approach that the Government has taken to make sure that Argyll and Bute remains connected at all times.

Mr Eagle went through a range of different issues. I simply point out that, for example, on the R100 contract, digital broadband is a reserved responsibility of the United Kingdom Government, and rural—[ Interruption .]

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

Rural Scotland is connected only because of the investment of the Scottish Government.

In relation to the A9, we have completed the stretches between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam and between Kincraig and Dalraddy, we have concluded the Crubenmore stage, and we have just concluded the tendering process and shall start work on site for the Moy to Tomatin section. All those developments are under way. Why do the Conservatives moan about everything?

Photo of Evelyn Tweed Evelyn Tweed Scottish National Party

I think that the Tories are missing the point here. The A83 Rest and Be Thankful is a vital route in Argyll and Bute, and road users want to know how the permanent solution that is being devised by the Scottish Government will benefit them. Will the First Minister set out some detail—[ Interruption .]

Photo of Evelyn Tweed Evelyn Tweed Scottish National Party

Will the First Minister set out some detail in that regard?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government is taking forward the improvement work on the A83, and a task force is supervising that work. The Cabinet Secretary for Transport leads the task force, which will meet this afternoon as part of the routine work that is under way to ensure that the permanent solution improves the resilience and operational safety of the route, which is designed to improve access to employment, education and healthcare services and to protect the interests of the people of Argyll and Bute. That matters very significantly to the Government.