PROGRESS ON A83 IMPROVEMENTS AT REST AND BE THANKFUL

December 5, 2025

  • Temporary traffic signals with 30mph speed limit remain in place for safety

  • Traffic management extended south of Cobbler Bridge to support drainage works

  • Full carriageway opening planned over the festive period

 

BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland are continuing essential improvement works on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

 

Recent activity has focused on drainage repairs and strengthening hillside barriers, both of which are vital to improving the long-term resilience of the route. The existing traffic lights will remain in place until Wednesday 10 December to continue these works.

 

The traffic lights will then be extended south of Cobbler Bridge to allow the next phase of drainage repair works to be carried out, along with ongoing repairs to the hillside barriers.

 

The planned improvement works will continue until the evening of Tuesday 23 December when all temporary traffic managements will be lifted to allow the A83 to fully reopen over the festive period, subject to weather and hillside conditions.

 

Improvement works will recommence in mid-January 2026, focusing on further catch-fence emptying, drainage upgrades, and slope stabilisation works below the A83. Temporary traffic signals and a 30mph speed limit will be in place to ensure the safety of the workforce, pedestrians and motorists while these vital improvements are delivered. This next stage of works is expected to continue through to early summer.

 

Access for emergency services and scheduled bus services will be maintained throughout the project, and consultation has taken place with all relevant stakeholders to ensure awareness of traffic management arrangements.

Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “These works are all essential improvements to ensure resilience of the   A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful. We are pleased that progress made so far has put us in a position to fully reopen the carriageway over the festive period and will continue to monitor the hillside weather conditions to ensure the safety of road users.

“We continue to thank the local community and road users for their patience while we carry out these essential works.”

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on A83 Rest and Be Thankful | Traffic Scotland, www.traffic.gov.scot, X @trafficscotland or on the mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.