A815 at Rest and Be Thankful closed after landslide amid flood warnings

The A815 at the Rest and Be Thankful road has been closed after a landslide, as flood warnings are in place across Scotland.

The road, about 200 metres from the junction with the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, which has been troubled with a number of landslips in recent years, is closed in both directions.

Police Scotland said diversions have been put in place via the B839 and B828 and drivers are advised to avoid the area.

The A815 will be further assessed by specialist engineers on Monday and operations to clear the landslip will continue thereafter.

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Landslide and flooding cause traffic chaos amid heavy rain weather warning

SEPA warns heavy rain combined with melting snow could see flooding impact road and rail networks.

The A83 Rest and Be Thankful was closed on Sunday due to heavy rain with traffic diverted onto the Old Military Road diversion.

BEAR Scotland said: “Following thorough inspections of the hillside, traffic returned to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, operated by BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland at around 10:30am this morning.

“The A83 at Rest and be Thankful is under traffic signal control to facilitate drainage and fencing works.

“The short Old Military Road local diversion had been in use as a safety precaution from noon on Sunday, January 11, due to heavy rainfall. This ensured that the public were able to travel to and from Argyll safely and with minimal delay.”

Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “Our priority is always the safe operation of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful and the Old Military Road provided a reliable alternative during a period when the hillside experienced 76mm of rain.

“This morning’s inspection confirmed that traffic can be returned to the A83. We appreciate the patience shown by all road users.”

It comes after sustained periods of heavy rain battered Scotland over the weekend, with 19 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) flood warnings and 12 flood alerts in place around the country.

In Aberdeenshire, the A92 was closed in both directions due to flooding, as was the A9 at Blair Atholl in Perth and Kinross.

A Met Office yellow warning of rain for much of north-west Scotland is in place until 10am on Monday while a warning of wind expired at 8am.

The heavy rain comes after a week of wintry weather in northern Scotland which saw hundreds of schools closed throughout the first week of the new term.