Work at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful continues to be a priority, with teams boosting hillside resilience, strengthening defences, and reacting quickly to keep Argyll moving safely. The Rest and Be Thankful doesn’t rest, and neither do we.

Keeping debris at bay

Robust debris fences cover the main water channels on the hillside to protect road users and the carriageway. Maintenance of these barriers started in October with teams targeting areas where material had accumulated and defects had been identified. In October, approximately 60m³ of debris was cleared from behind the Phase 2B barrier with a further 300m³ removed from Phase 12, with stabilisation works also completed on a Phase 4B plinth using helicopter‑lifted materials. Through November and December, repairs progressed on the Phase 4B barrier plinth blocks, while three new concrete anchor foundation blocks were poured at Phase 2B.

Handling hillside hazards

At the end of October, an exposed boulder was identified at risk of falling toward the trunk road. Following geotechnical assessment, a coordinated emergency response was mobilised, including a helicopter operation to transport materials to the hillside and deployment of environmental teams for a raptor watching survey. The A83 and Old Military Road were temporarily closed while airbag equipment was used to dislodge the boulder, which came to rest in a place of safety without reaching the carriageway. The road reopened the same day following safety inspections, restoring this key route to Argyll and Bute.

Drainage defence

In December, emergency repairs were carried out after severe scouring undermined the eastbound verge, drainage system and adjacent hillside at Phase 12. The area had previously been temporarily backfilled with material but permanent reinstatement was required to prevent further deterioration and improve the long-term resilience. Works included installing shuttering and a supporting concrete log beneath the carriageway, constructing a new filter drain and regrading existing drainage to improve flow away from the road. Additional catch pits will be installed in January as part of the next phase of resilience improvements.

This winter has seen BEAR Scotland teams respond to challenging hillside conditions with determination and precision. As heavy rainfall impacted the glen, the Old Military Road diversion was deployed twice as a precautionary measure and once in response to drainage overflow, ensuring road users remained safe while inspections and repairs were carried out.
Through proactive maintenance, emergency interventions and constant monitoring, BEAR continues to prioritise the safety of all who rely on the A83.