My wee story and
picture on the 'Rest and be Thankful' near Arrochar the other day generated quite a bit of
interest. When I passed the Argarten (lower) end of the Glen, there was a lot
of road making plant and equipment still on site. The bottom end of the single
track road has been re-surfaced like the top end and hairpin, but the bit in
the middle is still as it was.
Apparently,
Argyll and Bute Council want to re-line and re-surface the old road (the
original hillclimb in effect) to create a relief road for the main A83 road
which is prone to avalanches and mud-slides. According to my informant (one Mr.
Pye as he likes to be called): “Assuming it's completed, traffic will run on a
convoy basis for half an hour each way, so if you miss your slot you could be
waiting there for an hour - an excellent opportunity to buy a meal at the
burger van at the top of the hill.”
At the present
time, the parts of the road owned by the Forestry Commission at the top and
bottom of the hill have both been resurfaced, but the bit in the middle is
owned by a classic car enthusiast who is seeking assurances that the line of
the old road will be followed. This would present difficulties for road users
such as 44t artics and tourist coaches who would not get around some of the
corners or over the culverts so the Roads Authority would need to straighten
and strengthen parts of the old road to accommodate modern traffic.
Here’s hoping a
compromise can be struck whereby in exchange for allowing new alignments to be
constructed the old road can be repaired and retained, and the original
character maintained.
