A road traffic accident on the A886 has closed the road in both directions in Glendaruel  until 10pm tonight at least according to emergency services.

The accident happened on the wide bend between the turning to Otter Ferry and the turning to Tighnabruaich. Cars are being diverted via the coast road in both directions.

Fire engines and helicopter support indicate the seriousness of the accident.

10th April Update: Strathclyde Police have now announced that a 41-year-old man was killed after his motorbike was in collision with a Land Rover on the A886. He was pronounced dead at the scene – near Colintraive and has  not yet been named.

The Land Rover driver was uninjured.

The accident happened at about 17.25  and police have called for any witnesses to come forward.

Not really what any parent would want to see their tinies around. A road traffic accident (RTA) at Tarbet yesterday afternoon (23rd August 2010) showed the additional hazard at the right angle corner 30 yards or so into the A83 after the Tarbet Hotel.

It happened around 3.30pm, the time when the young  Arrochar children would be expected to be coming up the nearby brae and out on to the corner.

North bound traffic at this point tends to be centrifugally thrown towards the middle of the road and can meet southbound traffic there, keeping to the centre of the corner to avoid being thrown left.

A local resident took these photographs over a short period as he watched the scene developed.

Among other things these photographs provide evidence of the volume and frequency of truck movements on this route declared by Argyll and Bute Council to be ‘safe’ for primary school children to walk to school. This classification has been used to validate the decision to withdraw the free school bus service from Arrochar children.

Although they live only just inside the new two mile limit – chosen by the Council and not imposed by the Scottish Government – these children must now walk this genuinely dangerous route. Part of it is on a narrow road with very poor sightlines and no footpaths at all. Part – here – is on a section of the main trunk road through Argyll, the A83, with a 60 mph speed limit section between the towns, including the passage under the rail bridge.

While the resident took the photographs yesterday, five large trucks came through – one an empty timber lorry. All five were headed west for the narrow rail bridge, beyond the 30mph limit at Tarbet.

The Arrochar tinies ‘safe’ footpath to school takes them below that bridge in alarmingly close company with the traffic, on a narrow footpath which lorries regularly mount to avoid touching each other at that point. At 64cns-70cms wide, this footpath – at the most dangerous point of the route,  is well  below the statutorily required 100cms.

Yesterday’s incident is further proof of the constant dangers of this road.

In our investigation of this matter, we have not come across one individual who has been prepared to say, personally, that he or she considers the road to be safe. Those who feel themselves trapped in what is clearly a mistaken classification can only say, feebly that it has been classified as ‘safe’ – so therefore it is ‘safe’.

Council officials and councillors should reassert their common sense and, if self-preservation is the most effective galvanic, ask themselves how this defence would play if the worst should happen and a child is injured on this route. The words ‘hung out to dry’ are right up there in such an eventuality. Thanks to the parents determined campaign, officials could not say that they had neither been told of nor shown the dangers.

Once again, the wise thing is to admit the mistake everyone can make and use the ‘local flexibility’ the Scottish Government Guidelines allow in the provision of the free School Bus service from Arrochar to Tarbet. Arrochar is only marginally within the new 2 mile limit anyway – so get the Arrochar tinies back on that now withdrawn school bus service and safely to school.

The national daily newspaper, The Herald, yesterday carried a substantial article on the campaign by parents of primary school children in Arrochar to:

• supply the full report that classified the dangerous section  of the A83 trunk road that the village tinies must now walk to school
• conduct an independent survey of the route
• restore the free school  bus service whose withdrawal now leaves the tinies vulnerable to fear and potential injury

Jackie Baillie, the MSP for the area and who has been supporting the parent, is quoted by The Herald as drawing attention to the fact that the Council has classed this road as safe when they do not even allow a school crossing patrol on it because of safety risks’.

Alan Reid, MP for Argyll and Bute, has also been supportive of the parents case. Back in May he wrote to the responsible Council manager, Malcolm MacFadyen, Head of Facility Services (MacFadyen-school transport Arrochar), detailing the dangers of the proposed route.

Mr Reid has also advised one of the parents on the Council’s formal complaints procedure which, if followed, leads to the Ombudsman – slowly, of course.

We understand that the parent concerned, Colin Graham, has now taken his complaint to Stage 2 in this process, has had this confirmed and been informed that Mr MacFadyen :’will  now, in line with council procedure, carry out a further investigation into the process which was followed’.

Ironically, the Council document on its own complaints procedure is headed boldly: ‘Tell us when something has gone wrong so that we can put it right’. What it doesn’t say is how many people have to tell them before they put it right. Or have they a hearing problem?

The issue has been throughly aired in a series of articles we have published – logging and displaying photographic evidence of the manifest dangers of this route and detailing the situation, the risks, the questions and the parents determined campaign.

The key issue is that the parents are not asking the Council to abandon its new policy of withdrawing all free bus services to children who live within a two mile radius from their schools.

The Arrochar tinies live very marginally within that limit and are faced with a genuinely dangerous route to walk to school – in all weathers and conditions.

The parents are simply asking the Council to exercise, in their case, the local flexibilty the Scottish Government’s guidelines allow in restoring the free bus service.

The cost of paying for a seat on the bus – even if they could be assured of getting it and even if such decisions could be speedily arrived at, is beyond many of the parents, some with several children at the school. This village and these parents may be resourceful and resolute but they are not wealthy.

The latest proof of ever-present danger

Further evidence of the dangers on this section of the A83 was graphically displayed (photograph above) this Saturday (28th August 2010), with another road traffic accident at the same corner on the exit from Tarbet as the A83 turns for Arrochar. It is only days since we reported and showed photographs of another accident at the very same spot.

Of course, once an accident has happened and the police are present, traffic is under control and, even if intimidated, children can largely be kept safe.

But it is in the moment of the accident occurring that the sharp danger exists – and that is utterly unpredictable.

Other vehicles swerve instinctively to avoid contact and can – may have to – mount the footpath with no awareness in that moment that the footpath may be occupied by small children and mother’s with push chairs.

In the case of Saturday’s accident, quite a large vehicle has rolled on its side and is lying well across the centreline  occupying half of the southbound lane. Traffic heading south for Glasgow as this happened would certainly have had to swerve left, mounting the kerb on that side of the road.

Stop digging

In continually parrotting the mantra  – as a representative did yet again to The Herald – that this walking route ‘has been assessed as safe using guidelines set out by the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum’, the Council is simply shredding its own credibility and trustworthiness.

Despite repeated requests, some, like our own, under Freedom of Information legislation, the Council has failed to provide anyone – even its own Provost – with the full assessment report.

This inevitably raises the reasonable suspicion that a full report was never prepared. Should one emerge later, it will be met with derision.

• If a full report exists, it should be produced now, regardless of how embarassingly inept it may be.
• If it does not exist and therefore can never be produced, Council officers will be seen to have taken life-threatening decisions impacting on young children on an inadequate basis.
• And in this instance, elected Councillors will be seen to have approved officers’ recommendations on a serious issue without satisfying themselves as to the validity of the basis for the recommendations.

The Arrochar parents, through spokesperson Tracey Milton, were unequivocal with The Herald.

If the Council does not agree to an independent safety assessment of the route or put safety measures in place, the parents will press for a Judicial Review to test the validity of the decision. They are already taking legal advice on this matter.

To an objective observer, the Council seems to be unable to read the reality of this particular situation.

The route is not safe. If the boxes ticked in an ‘assessment’ – conducted over a week when major traffic was diverted away from the relevant section of the A83 – added up to a classification of ‘safe’, it does not mean that the road is safe. It means that there is something very wrong with the criteria.

The one sure thing, given the risks of this road,  is that there will be a regular stream of photographs like the one above, illustrating powerfully just what those risks are.

And the Arrochar parents have the bit well between their set jaws. They are not going away.

So – to the Council: ‘When you’re in a hole, stop digging. Apply the local flexibility this case so patently demands – and do so before your reputation suffers yet more collateral damage or – the nightmare scenario – a child is injured’.

Pedestrian Injured

About 10.40am on Sunday 22nd July 2012, a 35 year old man from Germany was struck by a car on the A83 near Auchindrain Museum. The injured man was taken by Ambulance to The Mid Argyll Hospital in Lochgilphead and later transferred by Ambulance to the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley. The man has leg and shoulder injuries, none of which are understood to be life threatening. The A83 was closed for crash investigations but one lane was reopened at about 1pm and the road fully reopened at 3pm. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to call Lochgilphead Police on 01546 702200.

Assault / Disorderly Conduct
As a result of continuing enquiries into the disturbance in Furnace on Saturday 7th July, a 19 year old woman has now been charged with alleged Assault and Disorderly Conduct. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Attempted Break-in
Between 6th July and 19th July, an attempt has been made to break in to a shed in the Upper Achagoyle area of Minard. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to call Lochgilphead Police on 01546 702200.

Possession of Drugs
About 11.45pm on Friday 20th July 2012, in Lochnell Street, Lochgilphead, a car was stopped and searched and a 28 year old Tarbert man was allegedly found to be in possession of a small quantity of Cannabis. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Driving while using Mobile Phone/Arrest Warrant/Possession of Drugs
About 9.20am, on Saturday 21st July 2012, on the A83 in Inveraray, a car was stopped and the driver, a 27 year old Johnstone man, was issued with a Fixed Penalty ticket for allegedly driving while using his mobile phone. The driver was also arrested on an apprehension warrant and is due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday 23rd July.

The car was then searched and a passenger in the car, 19 year old Paisley man was allegedly found to be in possession of a small quantity of Cannabis. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Arrest on Warrant
About 9pm on Saturday 21st July 2012, a 19 year old local man was arrested in Lochgilphead on a Dunoon Sheriff Court Apprehension Warrant, he is due to appear at Dunoon Sheriff Court on Monday 23rd July.

Consuming Alcohol in Public Place
About 00.15am on Sunday 22nd July 2012, in Lochnell Street, Lochgilphead, a 19 year old man was charged for allegedly consuming Alcohol in the street. A Fixed Penalty Ticket carrying a £40 fine was issued.

Road Safety Campaign
Mid Argyll Officers, along with their colleagues across Scotland have been focusing on speeding and inappropriate driving this weekend in support of the ACPOS National Road Safety Campaign. The result for the Mid Argyll area were that about 1145am on Friday 20th July, a 29 year old man was charged was Careless Driving on the A83 near Auchindrain and over the weekend a total of 7 drivers were charged with speeding on the A83 in Lochgilphead and Inveraray.

Lochgilphead Police are appealing for witnesses to a hit and run collision that occurred about 4.30pm on Tuesday 7th August on the Kilmartin to Lochgilphead road (A816) near to Dunadd Fort, Kilmichael Glassary.

At this time a blue coloured car was travelling southwards towards Lochgilphead and overtook and struck a black Seat Ibiza motor car.

Also at this time two cars were travelling north on the road.

Police would like to speak to the occupants of these northbound cars who may have witnessed the collision.

Police would also like to hear from any other witnesses who saw the blue car travelling on the A816 about the time of this collision.

Witnesses are asked to call Lochgilphead Police on 01546 702200.

The driver and passenger of the Seat motor car were shocked but uninjured as a result of the incident.

[Update: cleared] A serious road accident has closed the A82 in both directions at Bridge of Orchy.

This means substantial diversions – 55 miles or around an hour and a quarter; and road users are advised to expect longer journey times and delays.

• Northbound traffic should turn left onto the A85 Junction at Tyndrum, travel through Dalmally, Lochawe and Taynuilt to Connel; turn left onto the A828, swinging up and round to cross the Connel Bridge and on to Ballachulish  – at which point you’re back on track.
• Southbound traffic diverts at the Ballachulish roundabout, taking the first exit to join the A828 and continue to Connel; then turning right at the junction with the A85 and following the road through Taynuilt, Lochawe and Dalmally to Tyndrum – turning right back on to the A82 and following the permanent signage.

High sided vehicles should note that there are height restrictions at Connel Bridge (4.2m / 13’9”) and at Achnacloich Bridge, east of Connell (4.1m / 14’0″).

[Updated below 12.00 2nd August] A road traffic accident – said to be a bad one and to involve a fatality and injuries [we have no confirmed details yet] has closed the A85 between the B845 junction at Taynuilt and the A828 junction at Connel – in both directions.

There is a local diversions at Taynuilt via Shore Road. Transport Scotland is advising motorists to use the available diversion route and to allow extra time for their journey.

The road was closed at 19.00 on 1st August and remains closed in both directions at time of writing, 02.00, 2nd August.

Update 12.00 2nd August

Two fatalities resulted from this accident, a two-car head-on collision between a young locally connected family in a blue Vauxhall Vectra and four mature women understood to be from outwith the area, travelling in a blue Honda CRV.

Those who did not survive were a 74 year old female passenger in the Honda; and a young man of 32, a passenger in the Vauxhall driven by a 32 year old woman, who was airlifted to Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital where she is described as being in a critical but stable condition.

Three children - aged 14, 5 and 2 – travelling in the Vauxhall were treated afterwards at Oban Hospital for minor injuries, as were the other three women in the Honda, the driver, aged 51 and two more passengers aged 46 and 49.

Those who have died are not yet being named but the impact of this tragedy has stilled the town of Oban.

Abusive and Threatening Behaviour
About 1430 hours on Thursday 1st August 2013 following a report of a disturbance at a house in Westbank Road Ardrishaig a 54 year old female was arrested for Abusive and Threatening Behaviour. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Drunk and Incapable
About 2037 hours on Saturday 3rd August 2013 in Argyll Street Lochgilphead a 41 year old male was arrested for allegedly being drunk and Incapable of looking after himself. He was later released when sober.

Theft of Outboard Engines – Witness Appeal
Between 0001 hours Sunday 21st July 2013 and 2359 hours Tuesday 30th July 2013 fencing was damaged at Craobh Marina, Craobh Haven near Lochgilphead and two outboard engines were stolen. The first is described as a Suzuki DF70 Black with a white cover on the engine bracket. The second is a Honda 75HP. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact them on 101.

Theft of Garden Equipment
Between 0900 hours 1St July 2013 and 0900 hours 14th July 2013 a Barbecue, Petrol Strimmer and a chain Saw were stolen from Chalmers Street, Ardrishaig. Police are following a positive line of enquiry.

Road Closure
About 1148 hours on Friday 2nd August 2013 a Road Traffic Accident occurred on the A819 near the Cladich junction, Dalmally whereby the road had to be closed at both Dalmally and Inveraray until 1800 hours due to the dangerous location of the vehicle involved and to allow the vehicle to be safely recovered. No person was injured.

Traffic Offences
About 1710 hours on Sunday 4th August a 23 year old male was allegedly driving a vehicle without a valid excise licence in Ardpatrick, Tarbert. He was informed that a report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

On Monday 5th August 2013 5 persons were allegedly driving at excessive speeds on the A83 Tarbert and were each issued with £60 Fixed Penalty Ticket with 3 penalty points.

[Reopened at lunchtime] The A85 between Lochawe and Dalmally is closed following a road traffic accident before 10.00am this morning.

Westbound traffic from the east and north on the A85 is being diverted down the A819 to Inveraray, then right on to the A83 to Lchgilphead, followed by the A816 to Oban.

Northbound traffic from Glasgow on the A83 should carry on to Lochgilphead and then take the A816 to Oban.

The A85 between Lochawe and Dalmally is closed following a road traffic accident before 10.00am this morning.

Westbound traffic from the east and north on the A85 is being diverted down the A819 to Inveraray, then right on to the A83 to Lchgilphead, followed by the A816 to Oban.

Northbound traffic from Glasgow on the A83 should carry on to Lochgilphead and then take the A816 to Oban.

Road Traffic Incident
About 0915am on Monday 7th October 2013 on A83 about 3 miles North of Lochgair, a 40 tonne artic lorry was involved in a road traffic crash whereby the lorry left the carriageway and entered a ditch.  The driver was uninjured, however, about 2.30pm the A83 was restricted to one lane of traffic for approx 1 hour whilst the lorry was recovered.

Attempted Break In
Between 6pm on Saturday 5th October 2013 and 8pm on Sunday 6th October 2013, a property in Ardrishaig was subject to an attempted housebreaking with damage caused to the rear door of the property.  Access was gained to a caravan on the property grounds with minor damage caused within.  If any member of the public has information in relation to the above, they can contact their local police office on telephone number 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Theft
Between 7pm on Friday 4th October 2013 and 8am on Saturday 5th October 2013 a horse box was stolen from the Eredine area.  The horse box is described as an old style box, blue in colour with 2 flat tyres.  It was situated at the Forestry Commission entrance on the B840 half a mile south of Eredine.  If any member of the public has information in relation to the above, they can contact their local police office on telephone number 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Drugs Offence
On 10th October, Police, acting under Warrant, searched a house in the Slockavullin area. As a result, a 47 year old man was subsequently arrested and charged with allegedly being in possession of Cannabis and Growing Cannabis plants. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

If any member of the public has information in relation to the above, or to any incident, they can contact their local police office on telephone number 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

[Update 17.00 below] Due to a road traffic accident north of Kennacraig on West Loch Tarbert, the A83 has been closed in both directions since around 7.15am today. Police Scotland say that the A83 at this point will not re-open before 17.00.

Since this closure affects the ferry service to Islay from Kennacraig on West Loch Tarbert, ferry operator CalMac have made the following rearrangements.

MV Finlaggan is heading for Oban (eta 1530) and MV Hebridean Isles will depart Kennacraig to head to Oban via Port Askaig (eta Oban roughly 1600/1700).

All traffic booked on the 0945 and 1300 sailings from Kennacraig to Islay are requested to head to Oban.

MV Finlaggan will depart Oban at approximately 1600 and MV Hebridean Isles will depart Oban at approximately 1700.

The 1800 sailing from Port Ellen to Kennacraig will be delayed until approximately 1930 and will depart from Port Askaig – traffic is requested to check-in at Port Askaig for no later than 1830.

Traffic booked on the 1530 sailing from Port Askaig will be accommodated on the delayed 1800 sailing (at approximately 1930) from Port Askaig.

The 1800 sailing from Kennacraig has been cancelled- if space is available, and they can make their way to Oban, they may be able to use either of these sailings.

Update 17.00: The road has just been opened.

One of the reasons for the delay until 19.15 this evening  in reopening the A83, following a serious road traffic accident at lunchtime today, 28th February, at Strone point, north of Inveraray, has emerged from some of those who spent long hours in a Glasgow – Campbeltown bus trapped in the jammed traffic.

The road could not reopen until the arrival of a road sweeper to clear it of broken glass.

The road sweeper had to come – from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire.

BEAR Scotland has given us a timeline on the events around the serious road traffic accident last Friday which saw the A83 closed for around 6 hours at Strone Point, north of Inveraray.

BEAR says: ‘The accident, which had resulted in a person being trapped in their vehicle, was reported by Police Scotland at 2.15pm on Friday.

‘The BEAR Scotland emergency response team from Inveraray implemented the standard diversion route and were awaiting access to the site by 3pm. The casualty was airlifted from the site and the vehicle recovery was completed on behalf of Police Scotland by 6pm.

‘Following this, BEAR Scotland cleared all debris from the site by just after 7pm. This included a mechanised road sweeper which had been organised by our subcontractor near Hamilton as soon as the need for one had been confirmed by the Police.’

In our experience of them, BEAR Scotland is an efficient and transparent organisation working with focus and enterprise to carry out its responsibilities to the public. Its conduct in this incident seems typically energetic.

The accident involved four vehicles. There were no fatalities and no serious injuries. One driver, a woman – who had to be cut from her car and whose two dogs were trapped in the back, one injured [successfully treated] and both inaccessible to her – was taken to the Mid Argyll Hospital and treated there before being sent home.

Debris and contaminants had to be removed from the scene of the accident, before the A83 could be reopened.

Another driver, a 37 year old man, has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for an alleged dangerous driving offence.

The A83 was earlier closed in both directions between Inveraray and the accident black spot of Strone Point, at the northern entrance to Loch Shira, following an earlier road traffic accident.

This led to queing traffic and some diversions.

The road has now reopened.

[Update 20.45: Reopened.] As of just after 16.00, the A83 has been closed in both directions between Inveraray and Furnace because of a road traffic accident, understood to have been a collision between two cars.

The duration of the closure is unknown at present but the level of activity from the emergency services, including, we are told, an air ambulance, suggests that this is  serious incident so the closure may be prolonged.

Road users are advised to use alternative routes and, as appropriate, ferries.

The A83 was closed for several hours on the afternoon and into the evening of Sunday 6th April, because of a road accident between Inverary and Furnace.

The accident occurred at North Craleckan, south of Auchindrain, around 4pm. It was a collision between a Vauxhall Safira and a Honda CRV.

Three occupants of the Honda and four of the Vauxhall were injured, with some requiring to be cut from their vehicle.

The emergency services attended  – including three fire appliances, two air ambulances and normal road ambulances. Those injured were to hospitals at Lochgilphead, Oban and Glasgow.

There were no fatalities. A 40 year old woman remains still in hospital.

Road Crash
About 11.30pm on 5 June, a two vehicle road crash occurred on the A83 near to Ardcastle, Lochgair. The 66yr old German national was driving his Peugeot 208 vehicle on the wrong side of the road when it was in collision with Ford Mondeo travelling in the opposite direction. The two male occupants of the Ford Mondeo were removed to the Mid Argyll hospital and treated before being released.
The 66yr old male was transferred to a hospital in Glasgow where his condition remains critical.

Disturbance
At 4pm on 9 June, members of the public reported a disturbance taking place on Main Street, Inveraray involving a number of youths who were shouting and swearing and urinating in doorways. The Police attended and issued ASBO fixed penalties to two males. One male was arrested for his conduct and was subsequently issued with an ASBO ticket.

Sheep Worrying
On the 13 May at Bellanoch Bridge, near Lochgilphead a dog was seen to attack a young lamb. The lamb was later found with serious injuries to its hind leg which will result in the lamb being destroyed. Police are reminding all dog owners to keep their dogs under close control at all times when near any livestock.

If any member of the public has information in relation to the above, or to any incident, they can contact their local police office on telephone number 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Vandalism
Between 10pm on 20 December and 1040am on 22 December damage was caused to the window of the Argyll Café in Argyll Street, Lochgilphead. Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on telephone number 101.

Drugs
At 8.45pm on 24 December a 27 yr old male was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of cannabis near to Barnbrae, Inveraray. He is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Assault
At 2.20am on 25th December a 26yr old female was assaulted within a house at Dewar Ave, Lochgilphead. A 54yr old male was later arrested and is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Road Traffic Accident
At 1205pm on 24 December a road accident occurred on the B8024, Achahoish, whereby a Royal Mail motor vehicle was allegedly struck by a Black Nissan 4×4 vehicle which failed to stop following the crash. Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact PC Fiona Kirk, Road Policing Department at Lochgilphead telephone number 101.

Disturbance
At 7.10pm on 25th December a 37yr old male was arrested following a disturbance at an address at Seaside Park, Ardrishaig. He is now subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

At 0.05am on 27th December a 29yr old male was arrested in Lochnell Street, Lochgilphead for shouting and swearing and resisting arrest. He is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

At 1.05am on 27th December an 18yr old female was arrested and charged with a breach of the Peace following an incident in Lochnell Street, Lochgilphead. She was issued with a Fixed Penalty.

At 1.05am on 27th December following a disturbance in Lochnell Street, Lochgilphead, two males were reported for shouting and swearing and hindering Police Officers. The 22 and 23 yr old males are now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Drink Driving
At 1.35pm on 27th December following a road check at Kilmory, Lochgilphead a 54yr old male was stopped for speeding and allegedly found to have excess alcohol in his body. He is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Appeal for witnesses and information
If any member of the public has information in relation to the above, or to any incident, they can contact their local police office on telephone number 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[Update: reopened.] A traffic accident on the single-lane bridge which carries the A83 into Inveraray from the east closed the road in both directions at around 17.40.

The usual diversion is in place between Inveraray, Dalmally, Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Ardlui and Tarbet – and vice versa.

The A83 is closed at Rest and Be Thankful following a serious road accident – a coach travelling west coming off the road towards the northern end of Loch Restil, approximately 200 meters north of the car park.

BEAR Scotland is currently assisting emergency teams at the site.

The coach, operated by Lochs and Glens Holidays, was carrying around 52 passengers. Five people are know  to have been injured and have been airlifted to hospital. Twenty others are described as ‘walking wounded’. None of the injuries are thought to be life threatening.

The Old Military Road cannot be used as a diversion as this accident has happened before the entrance to it at the Car Park at the top of the pass itself.

The usual diversion route is in place via A82 Tarbet, A85 Crianlarich, A819 Dalmally and A83 Inveraray. The use of Western Ferries from Gourock to Dunoon,  and CalMac’s ferry from Portavadie to Tarbert may be a better route for drivers heading to Kintyre and Campbeltown.

It may be that traffic to and from Lochgoilhead travelling eastwards will be allowed to go through as the accident has happened west of the junction with the A83 of the B828 to Lochgoilhead and the Car Park.

A further update will be issued early this evening by BEAR Scotland but travellers are advised that the road is likely to be closed for some time.