THE A83 at the Rest and be Thankful is closed once again. The consequences for local businesses throughout Argyll are almost incalculable. It is, however, pointless to blame the Scottish Government for this.

The A83 road was first constructed in the late years of the 1950s and replaced the old military road of General Wade, which was constructed during the 18th century. To the London establishment which ruled Scotland then it could all have been on the other side of the moon.

There have been traffic lights on the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful almost continuously for the last six years. The average waiting time at them is around five minutes. During the waiting period there are quite a few nervous glances up the hillside to see exactly what might be coming down. The huge nets which have been constructed in recent year should hold, but there remains doubt in the mind while waiting there. To my mind, everything about the Rest and be Thankful and the chaos around it symbolises everything about British rule of Scotland.

Alan Clayton
Strachur, Argyll