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.
This could be the largest landslide at Rest and be Thankful in Scotland to date. https://t.co/6iOp2eeP8F
— Dave Petley (@davepetley) August 4, 2020
Large multiple landslips have blocked the #A83 at the #RestAndBeThankful & Old Military Road (OMR) following heavy rain today. Road to remain closed overnight with diversion in place via A83, A82, A85 & A815. Read more here: https://t.co/zfhNgi9qtT (pics show debris on A83 & OMR) pic.twitter.com/rHn4DOkfl4
— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) August 4, 2020
10.40#A83 remains CLOSED in both directions Rest and be Thankful – Arrochar
Assessment is ongoing
Diversion info: https://t.co/uNGXc8SjM2
More info: https://t.co/xFZmBChl97 @Western_Ferries are running additional services as an alternative@NWTrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/JB9C3MVhUz— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) August 5, 2020
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.
#A83 #RestandBeThankful remains closed following multiple landslips yesterday. Teams will begin initial assessments this morning to determine extent of damage. OMR remains closed. Diversion via A83, A82, A85 & A819, follow @trafficscotland for updates! https://t.co/zfhNgi9qtT pic.twitter.com/C1QJIQ4bbh
— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) August 5, 2020
Initial clear-up operations underway following landslip at #A83 #RestandBeThankful – safety assessments continue & both A83 & OMR remain closed with diversion route in place. Around 1,500 tonnes of material has impacted A83 & 2,000 tonnes on OMR.
More: https://t.co/zfhNgi9qtT pic.twitter.com/FljFgGhXdg— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) August 5, 2020
Featured image credit: BEAR NW Trunk Roads
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