The A83 Rest and Be Thankful has become a symbol of the Scottish government's inability to deliver on its promises, with a permanent solution to the road's landslides remaining elusive for over a decade. This is a story of broken promises, delayed decisions, and a persistent campaign to keep the issue in the spotlight. The road, a vital link between Argyll and the central belt, has been plagued by landslides, causing closures, diversions, and disruption for years. The Scottish government launched the A83 Taskforce in 2012, hoping to find a solution, but despite years of planning, consultations, and design work, construction has still not started. The latest twist in this saga involves former transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, who received advice on options for a medium-term solution but chose not to make a decision before leaving office, passing the responsibility to the incoming government. This has sparked fresh questions about the pace of progress on the A83, with campaigners arguing that communities across Argyll have endured years of delay while ministers repeatedly promise action. The Rest and Be Thankful campaign group, supported by the Road Haulage Association, has made an appeal to the new government to finally deliver. The project remains held up in statutory processes, with no confirmed date for construction to begin. The delays are particularly significant because of the role the route plays in daily life across Argyll. When landslides threaten the A83, traffic is often diverted away from the main carriageway, causing significant consequences for residents, businesses, and tourists. Successive governments have invested heavily in measures designed to reduce the impact of landslides, but the permanent solution remains unbuilt. The Scottish government has repeatedly argued that a permanent and resilient solution is required because of the strategic importance of the route, but despite years of planning, consultations, and design work, construction has still not started. The A83 Rest and Be Thankful has become one of Scotland's most persistent transport headaches, and the question remains: will the new government finally deliver on its promises?
