James Young plans a cattle tunnel beneath the A83
Mr Young’s Drum Farm is near Campbeltown, with about 200 acres of grazing land divided by the A83. His herd must cross the trunk road at least four times each day. Drivers have routinely stopped while the cattle pass, and the farmer says the proposed tunnel would remove the need for livestock to enter the carriageway.
The scheme has been delayed by the approvals and checks required for work beside a trunk road, Mr Young told the Campbeltown Courier. He said the paperwork and permissions could represent at least 25% of the project’s total cost. He also criticised what he described as a lack of willingness by Transport Scotland and road contractor BEAR Scotland to move the application forward.
Construction would require a temporary route through a field south of the A83. Precast concrete sections, each weighing 18 tonnes, would then be installed beneath the road. Mr Young said the diversion should be needed for about two weeks and that the remaining works would cause limited disruption. He asked motorists to be patient during construction.
Two or three farm workers are currently required for each cattle crossing, according to Mr Young. He said the crossings restrict the herd’s access to pasture, leave manure on the road and create delays of about five minutes for motorists. A recent traffic survey recorded an average vehicle speed of 61.3mph near the farm. Warning lights are in place, but he described the location as dangerous for cattle.
The project has received support from local councillors and the Argyll and Islands branch of the National Farmers’ Union. Mr Young is working with McFadyens Contractors, a local company, and Aberdeen-based MacLeod & Jordan. A geotechnical ground survey must be completed before the proposal can be submitted for final approval.
Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland said the underpass could improve safety and road operations for motorists, farm workers and livestock by ending routine cattle crossings. A spokesman for both organisations said the approval process was designed to keep the trunk road safe during construction and after the tunnel opens, adding that officials were working with the applicant and that the project was progressing through the required stages.
A proposed expansion of the Machrihanish Dunes golf resort is expected to create another junction farther along the A83. The area also attracts visitors to Campbeltown’s whisky distilleries, Machrihanish beach and golf links, and the Mull of Kintyre.
