Petition to Save the Bonnie Banks Lodged

Helensburgh and District Access Trust and the Friends worked together during September to petition the Scottish Government to reconsider the flawed assessment process regarding the choice of route for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet and Inverarnan. Over 500 people signed the petition which was open for three weeks and closed on 18 October. It will now be considered by the Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

Transport Scotland favours a 'Low Road' proposal which will cause huge traffic delays and threatens 8 miles of beautiful shoreline between Tarbet and Ardlui. The petition listed the following advantages of an alternative ‘High Road’ option:

• Preservation of precious oak woods and shoreline, allowing wildlife, residents, businesses and visitors to connect with the loch;

• No traffic delays and quicker construction as the old road could continue to carry traffic during the build period and afterwards would be available as a walking and cycling route as well as being available for access to property and for occasional use as a diversion when necessary;

• The Three Lochs Way Great Walking Trail could be linked to the West Highland Way at Inverarnan, making a round Loch Lomond trail possible;

• Tarbet and Ardlui would be by-passed by heavy traffic, improving quality of life for residents and alleviating road safety issues at Arrochar Primary School;

• The higher, straighter route would give stunning views of Loch Lomond and be faster and safer than any loch side route could ever be;

• Visitor management pressures alleviated along the whole length of the old road and in the congested Tarbet Bay area.

  To support the campaign to secure a better alternative to the ‘Low Road’ option, you can write to the Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth at Jenny.Gilruth.msp@parliament.scot
  (Word count 289 plus photo with caption: A82 traffic at Tarbet Primary School which would remain a problem if the current A82 scheme is adopted)