A83 TASKFORCE Meeting 7 Three Villages Hall, Arrochar 10 th June - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A83 TASKFORCE Meeting 7 Three Villages Hall, Arrochar 10 th June 2014

Agenda 1. Welcome, introductions and apologies 2. Review of the works completed on Rest and Be Thankful 3. Review of the other known landslide areas 4. Summary of 2014/15 programme 5. Marketing sub-group update – Mike Story 6. Discussion/ Q&A 7. AOCB 8. Date of next meeting

RabT “Red Option” Review Objectives of the A83 Trunk Road Route Study • Reduce the impact on journey times by reducing the frequency and duration of road closures caused by landslides, and; • Reduce the economic impact to the A83 study area by reducing the frequency and duration of road closures caused by landslides.

RabT “Red Option” Review Recommendations • Construction of an additional 440 m of debris flow barriers (Phases 1 and 2 were constructed prior to publication of the A83 Route Study) • Drainage and culvert improvements to enhance drainage of the slopes adjacent to and beneath the A83, and; • The planting of vegetation/forestry on the hillside, upslope of the A83 Trunk Road, to further reduce the risk of landslides. It was recognised that the benefits here would only be realised around 15 to 35 years after planting. • A83 Local Diversion Route (LDR), was maintained in operable condition until such time as sufficient protection from landslides had been afforded to the A83 RabT.

Background RabT Since 2007 • 8 Debris flow events / landslides impacted the Trunk Road • 5 Debris flows / landslides did not impact on the A83 • 2 embankment failures below the A83

Solution RabT • 12 Phases of Work Identified • 22 Barriers installed since 2010, 1 Debris Catch Pit • Total length 780m • Total Spend £4M

RabT Phases 1 -12

Effectiveness of the solution RabT Phase 1 barrier – 3 rd October 2013 Phase 9a barrier – 9 th January 2014

RabT “Red Option” Review Conclusions • In conclusion it can be seen that a significant investment has been made on the A83 Trunk Road through the RabT and that the key component of the ‘Red Option’ solution have been implemented. • Two small debris flows, on 3 October 2013 and 9 January 2014, have been intercepted by the measures constructed at Phase 1 and 9a respectively. • Risk reduction measures targeted at key channels (Based on historical date and engineering assessment)

RabT “Red Option” Review Conclusions Continued • It is recommended that the further works identified as part of the ‘Red Option’ are undertaken – The planting of vegetation on the slope. • Drainage improvements to culvert outfalls where recent scour has occurred

Review of the Other Known Landslide Areas Cairndow Glen Kinglas Loch Shira RabT

Loch Shira Mitigation Options A number of options have been investigated, but the preferred options are: 1.Installation of a new flexible on slope drainage system to 1.Construction of a new improved rock blanket that includes deep counterfort drains and carriageway drainage improvements Rock Blanket Bulge

Glen Kinglas • Glen Kinglas is approximately 5.5km long and contains 32 channels that flow perpendicular to the Trunk Road. • Typically events in Glen Kinglas are less dramatic that those experienced at the RabT. • The preferred option is a combination of linear catch ditches and bunds Slope break 23/02/14

Cairndow • The Cairndow section covers 2.8km in length and contains 15 channels that flow perpendicular to the Trunk Road. • The preferred option is a combination of linear catch ditches and catch pits. • Cairndow is the lowest risk out of the 3 areas

Summary of 2014/15 programme • £6 million commit to be spent on the A83 within 2014/15. This will see works at – Rest and be Thankful – Continuation of Part B recommendations – Landslide mitigation at other known locations – Various works between Kennacraig to Campbeltown – Other maintenance works along the route

Rest and Be Thankful 2014/15 – Continue to progress planting of hillside – Currently working Forestry Commission to develop Forest Plan and start the formal consultation with statutory bodies – Drainage improvements to culvert outfalls where recent scour has occurred between the A83 and OMR – Improved slope monitoring facilities

Landslide Mitigation in 2014/15 – Loch Shira • Progress details design of both phases • Consult with landowners/statutory bodies • Construct both Phases – Glen Kinglas • Progress details design and consultation • Consult with landowners/statutory bodies • Construction of the first phase of works. – Cairndow • Continued monitoring of the slope

Strone Point Re-alignment • 300m section of the road that requires realignment into hillside • Number of accidents at this locus with 4 fatal and 2 serious accidents since 2005. Most recent accident was on 30 th May 2014 • Progress detailed design and consult with landowners/ statutory bodies • Approx. cost of the scheme £1.4m • Aim to start construction early 2015

Part B: in-progress schemes 2014/15 • Dunderave • Complete detailed design • Consult with landowners/statutory bodies • Dependent on budget/consultation, could commence in 14/15 • Erines – pinch point – Detailed design being progressed along with Ground Investigation • Tarbet - Tea Corner – Improvements in the drainage, super elevation and signage – Along with a re-surfacing scheme between Arrochar and Tabert at approx value of £350,000 • Tarbert - Balmore Road – Feasibility Report now complete – TS considering options – Currently programming re-surfacing scheme for the full length of Balmore with other minor improvements

Trunking of A83 from Kennacraig to Campbeltown • Trunking 51km stretch between Kennacraig to Campbeltown • Re-classification order completed on the 19th May by Argyll and Bute Council • Trunking order currently being progressed • August is target completion but dependent on objections • Commit to spending £750k on various scheme along the section from re-surfacing, road markings and other carriageway works • Working with Argyll and Bute Council in partnership to examine opportunities for collaborative working • Completed the Part B Workshop with the local stakeholders on the 25 th April – Report to be made available on website by July

Taskforce no. 6 - Actions • (4.1) Will continue to issue 6 Monthly update to the Taskforce, next update due in August and website to be update as works progress • (4.4) Now that 2014/15 budget is confirmed the programme will be updated and will be noted on the website • (6.3) Joint meeting held on the 2nd April and being progressed by Argyll and Bute council • (6.4)The operational plan for the OMR has been reviewed to deal with issues of slow speeds in the convoy • (6.8) The daily operation costs for BEAR Scotland are between £4000 and £6000.

Summary We are committed – to deliver various landslide mitigation works at Loch Shira and Glen Kinglas, now that the works at the Rest and Be Thankful are nearing completion. – to maintain momentum on the delivery of A83 Route Study recommendations. – to complete the trunking of the A83 from Kennacraig to Campbeltown We will continue to provide email updates to Taskforce members on a 6-monthly basis

Marketing sub-group update Mission Statement: To support the promotion and enhancement of existing communication plans and marketing campaigns to promote transport links to and from Argyll. To facilitate the flow of information about positive investment in transport links to and from Argyll. – The Task Force marketing group has met monthly since the last task force meeting. During that period the group decided to rename and itself as the task force communications group. This is more accurately defines the role that the group has developed in to. – The groups continues to monitor events on the A83 and relay information and advice to the general public, BEAR Scotland, Transport Scotland, local media and social media sites.

Marketing sub-group update – In addition the group acts as a focal point in consultations with key local stakeholders, and is developing a clear message through the use of more accurate language and public relations. The Chair of the group also acts a spokesman in the case of any media enquiries or interviews – The group has been active along with Argyll and Bute Council, BEAR Scotland and Transport Scotland in helping develop informative new signage to promote the idea of using ferries on the Dunoon Gourock route as viable alternative route to the mainland. The concept of marketing a circular route to and from Glasgow has bee mooted.

Marketing sub-group update – The group has also developed a public relations strategy and to that end by including BEAR Scotland to the Best of the West festival at Inveraray Castle in September. This will give stakeholders, visitors and the general public the chance to engage with BEAR Scotland and get a better picture of the scale and success of the works under taken thus far. – The group continues to develop ties with the A82 users group, and shares information between the two bodies