As we are all aware, operation of the A83 and the OMR at the Rest and Be Thankful has become more difficult over the last couple of weeks, particularly as the OMR has been subject to closure both overnight and during daylight hours as a safety precaution.

As a result, Forestry and Land Scotland have become aware of significant use of the forest road on the west side of Glen Croe by drivers who are unwilling to use the official diversion route (via Inveraray and Crianlarich).

There is no doubt that this official diversion is lengthy and time consuming, however the forest road is not suitable for public traffic and given the weather at this time of year will be dangerous.

We have tried to exclude unauthorised traffic by locking the gates at either end of the forest road, but unfortunately some drivers have broken the locks and even pulled out the gatepost in their attempts to use the forest road as a short cut, which is completely unacceptable.

FLS has a duty to ensure the safety of all those using the land we manage, therefore to ensure drivers do not get into difficulty attempting to use the forest road we have decided to place security guards at each end of the forest road to prevent access. They have strict instructions to stop unauthorised vehicles using the forest road, and instead direct them to the diversion route on the public road network.

At yesterday’s stakeholder update meeting organised by Transport Scotland (at which both community councils were represented), Bear described a new barrier which is designed to make the OMR more resilient and allow the OMR to remain open 24 hours a day. This is intended to be in place before Christmas, which should restore access through the glen.

I would be grateful if you could share this information with members of your respective communities.