Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross and local MSP Donald Cameron have urged the SNP Government to “finally deliver” a long-term solution for the Rest and Be Thankful.
The pair’s call comes after meeting with local campaigners who have continually pushed the SNP to upgrade the A83, which has been beset by landslides and regular closures year after year.
Douglas and Donald's meeting to discuss the Rest and Be Thankful comes with local government elections in Argyll and Bute and across Scotland just over two weeks away.
All Scottish Conservative councillors who are elected are committed to pressuring the SNP Government to upgrade the Rest and Be Thankful, with Donald having regularly challenged the SNP in Parliament over a lack of action on the route.
The Highland and Islands MSPs say the continued lack of strategy to fix perennial problems on the A83 is terrible news for the local economy and will only hinder the area’s recovery from the pandemic.
Scottish Conservative Leader and Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said: “This was a welcome opportunity for me to come to Argyll and Bute and meet with local campaigners who have been demanding action on the Rest and Be Thankful.
“I applaud their tireless efforts to seek drastic improvements to this crucial trunk road. However, all too often their pleas have fallen on deaf ears within the SNP Government.
“This road is absolutely vital for the local economy and badly needs a permanent solution to stop motorists having to use major detours as a result of the Rest and Be Thankful regularly being closed.
“Millions have now been wasted by the SNP Government without delivering the improvements that are urgently needed. Scottish Conservative councillors elected on May 5th will continue to press the SNP Government to upgrade the Rest and Be Thankful, engaging closely with campaigners to find a permanent solution that fits the needs of this area.”
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said: “Since I was first elected in 2016, pushing for a permanent solution to the Rest and Be Thankful has been one of my top priorities. All too often, residents and visitors face major inconvenience when the road has to close.
“We cannot continue like this. That was the clear message from the campaigners I was pleased to meet alongside Douglas.
“As we recover from the pandemic, these sort of transport infrastructure upgrades are exactly what the local economy needs. I have continually challenged the SNP in Parliament to deliver a solution. There’s been a lot of warm words, but residents and businesses continue to face massive difficulties due to the lack of a permanent solution.
“This was a welcome opportunity to engage once again with local campaigners and to let them know that the Scottish Conservatives are fully committed to pushing the SNP to upgrade the Rest and Be Thankful as a matter of urgency.”
