Rest and Be Thankful on A83 closed overnight after landslip

The road has been blocked by landslips five times in the last five years

The A83 road in Argyll and Bute has been closed overnight at the Rest and Be Thankful following a landslip.

Between 50 and 100 tonnes of the hillside came down on to the road following a period of heavy rain.

A long diversion - adding up to 50 miles to some journeys - is in place. It runs via the A83, A819, A85 and A82.

The route has a history of being blocked by landslips with closures coming in 2007, 2009, 2011 and again earlier this year.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "A team of engineers is currently en-route to the site to assess the situation, but we know that up to 100 tonnes of material have already fallen onto the road.

"Details of the diversion route (via A83 Inveraray - A819 Dalmally - A85 Tyndrum - A82 Tarbet) have been communicated by our operating company and are available on the Traffic Scotland website and internet radio site.

"Planned works on the A82 at Pulpit Rock, part of the diversion route, have also been removed for tonight to accommodate the diversion.

"The A83 is anticipated to be closed at the Rest and Be Thankful overnight while the debris is cleared and further inspections are carried out in the morning."