Scots plan action over road closure
Page 12
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Hauliers in the West of Scotland are threatening action to protect the future of their communities after the Scottish Office announced its plan to close the main road in Kintyre.
Local businessman Les Oman warns that more than 250 truck movements on the A83 between Tarbert and Lochgilphead could be lost if the Scottish Office closes the road for two weeks for repairs early in the new year. It was damaged by two landslides in March and July.
Oman, the spokesman for the Kintyre Road User's Group, applauds the Scottish Office for taking the road's problems seriously but stresses that it must be kept open during repairs — unless large ferries are put into service from Tarbert to Portavidie.
"The ferry is the only alternative for hauliers to keep moving to the rest of Scotland if the road is closed," he says. "The Scottish Office has offered to put on a temporary service but it would only take six trucks daily. The haulier is the backbone of this economy, transporting provisions and whisky. We hope the Scottish Office will listen, but if not we will take action in the form of blockades."
One haulier says: "If the road closes for any amount of time it will be catastrophic for local businesses here."
Oman is canvassing hauliers' concerns to present to the Scottish Office. He would like to hear from operators who use the A83; contact 01880 820 001.