Multiple landslides block A83 at Rest and Be Thankful - Scotland, U.K.

Multiple landslides blocked the A83 at Rest and Be Thankful, Scotland, after heavy rainfall on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Officials started clearing operations on Wednesday, August 5, although initial visual assessments indicate that there is still movement on the hillside.

About 65 mm (2.5 inches) of rain fell at the Rest and Be Thankful on Tuesday, causing several landslips.

According to Traffic Scotland, the Old Military Road had also been blocked, which has previously been used as an alternative route. Bear Scotland said ferry provider Western Ferries may accommodate diverted traffic.

Specialist geotechnical contractors have conducted initial visual assessments from the roadside, but preliminary indications showed there is still movement on the hillside. In addition, it is unsafe to carry out clearing operations and further assessments.

Dr. Dave Petley, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, noted that this could be the largest landslide to date at Rest and Be Thankful.

"Judging by the images this might be the largest of the set of landslides in this long sequence of events," he wrote.

As of Wednesday, officials have started the clearing operations and assessment is underway.

In March, around 1.9 million euros were invested in the construction of a new catch pit on the hillside to improve the route's resilience.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for heavy rain on Wednesday, August 5.

Featured image credit: BEAR NW Trunk Roads