B828 closure to continue until rock risk removed
Forestry and Land Scotland is working with geotechnical contractors to make safe two unstable 350 tonne boulders – and a number of smaller ones - on a hillside above the B828.
High up the slope and above the source area of a landslide that occurred in October 2023,
Geotechnical experts assess the situation and the level of threat to the slope, the road below and to public safety.
The B828 was meant to re-open just before Christmas after the October landslip had been cleared. After consultation with the local authority, Argyll & Bute Council closed the road until the boulder area can be remediated and made safe.
Carol McGinnes, FLS Central Region Manager, said;
“It was initially hoped that the boulders and the hillside could be secured and made safe. However, following further assessment, it was agreed that the only safe course of action was to break up and remove the boulders.
“This is the only way to be sure that they will not at some stage cause a further landslip and, given the size of these boulders, make sure that they do not present any danger to the public or to the road.
“We appreciate that this additional period of closure has been frustrating and inconvenient for local residents and other road users but we anticipate that the issue will be resolved within the next two weeks.”
Removal of the boulders will involve breaking them up into smaller fragments, and at the same time dislodging them so that they can then be removed.
Notes to editors
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Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.