MAJOR work on the A83 near the Rest and Be Thankful could affect plans to upgrade the A82 along Loch Lomondside, a new report has warned.

A senior Argyll and Bute Council official says it's thought "very unlikely" that the Scottish Government will commit large sums to the upgrading of both roads at once.

The government's preferred solution for the A83, unveiled earlier this month, would see a new road built on the aligment of the existing route in Glen Croe, with a box-like 'debris shelter' structure over the carriageway - at a total cost of £470 million.

The government is hoping the structure will divert landslide debris away from the road - ending decades of blockages of the main route between central Scotland and Argyll following spells of bad weather.

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But the government is also hoping to build a new A82 road along the north-west shore of Loch Lomond, between Tarbet and Inverarnan - though its 'preferred option' for that route has already run into local opposition.

And a report to be considered by Argyll and Bute councillors next week says "urgent clarification" is needed on what the A83 works will mean for the plans to upgrade the A82.

At present the tight and twisty single-carriwageway section of the A82 north of Tarbet is widely regarded as the weakest link in the road network between central Scotland and the west Highlands. 

The report will go before the full council at its last meeting before summer recess on Thursday, June 29.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “The economic assessment that accompanies the [A83] consultation does not contain much detail and further work is intended to be carried out at the next stage of the process.

“That said, the admission in the documentation that accompanies this consultation clearly states it does represent the greatest impact to traffic during the construction phase, estimated to be in the region of three to four years, following completion of the works to the Old Military Road.”

Only a short section of the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan (below) has been upgraded - though a local charity, the Helensburgh and District Access Trust, has criticised the government's preferred upgrade option and urged that a new 'high road' be built instead.

Ms Flanagan then referred to the estimated traffic flow of around 4,400 vehicles per day on the A83.

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She continued: “Whilst it is accepted that these traffic flows are modest in the national scale of traffic movements, the A83 is a lifeline route for much of Argyll and Bute.

"As such, this long-term disruption on the main line of the road could have significant impacts on our future economic viability and ability to attract population and additional investment.

“It is also worth considering what additional impact there will be on investment decisions on the A82 with programmed works along Loch Lomond.

“It seems very unlikely that work will be implemented on both trunk routes simultaneously and further clarification on this important issue is urgently required as the A82 is a critical lifeline route for Argyll and Bute.”

Ms Flanagan added: “Whatever option is taken it is inevitable that works of this size and nature will bring with them some disruption, including the closure of the A83 with traffic being diverted on to the Old Military Road.

“It will be particularly important that a positive communications plan is in place making it very clear that Argyll and Bute is very much open for business during the works.”

Transport Scotland has been contacted for comment.