The plans for A82 continue to pose a threat to Loch Lomond.

Scottish Parliament to Consider Petition to Protect Loch Lomond’s Shoreline

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee announced that they will once again be considering petition PE 1967 on Wednesday, November 27. The petition, titled “To protect Loch Lomond’s Atlantic oakwood shoreline by implementing the High Road option for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet and Inverarnan,” has been jointly mounted by the Helensburgh and District Access Trust (HADAT) and the conservation charity, Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs (FOLLAT). They are encouraging people to sign the petition and “Save the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond!”

The petition has gained support from Professor Lynne Pearce of Lancaster University, an author of the soon-to-be-published book, “Britain’s Changing Roadscapes: Mobility, Memory, Attachment, Loss.” Pearce has expressed her support for the petition, stating that “The A82 along Loch Lomondside regularly tops surveys of ‘Best British Drives’, with the turn-off at Tarbet experienced by many drivers as the ‘gateway to the highlands.’ However, rather less attention has been paid to the recreational and cultural significance of the road for the generations of day-trippers for whom the woodlands, beaches and viewpoints along the northern shores of the loch hold special memories and, arguably, a claim to stewardship.”

FOLLAT and HADAT argue that the Low Road route selection by Transport Scotland was made without a full and comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of all options. They highlight the following advantages of the High Road option:

– Preservation of 17 kilometers of the old road, ancient oak woods, sections of historic General Wade’s Road, and unspoilt shoreline, allowing wildlife to thrive and reconnect with the loch.
– Minimal ecological impact from the High Road alternative.
– Continued use of the old road during construction, with potential for it to become a popular walking and cycling route with ample parking near the loch shore.
– Accessibility to property and occasional use as a diversion when necessary.
– Possibility of linking the Three Lochs Way Great Walking Trail to the West Highland Way at Inverarnan, creating a round Loch Lomond walking and cycling route.
– Alleviation of traffic in Tarbet and Ardlui, improving quality of life for residents and addressing road safety concerns at Arrochar Primary School.
– A higher, straighter route that would be faster and safer than any loch side route.
– Reduction of visitor management pressures along the old road and in the congested Tarbet Bay area.
– Stunning views of Loch Lomond from the high road.

Chair of FOLLAT, John Urquhart, expressed his delight at the continuous support for the petition, which has now garnered 764 signatures. Urquhart stated, “Huge damage was already done to the oakwood lined western shoreline of Loch Lomond south of Tarbet in the 1980’s road widening. Now, in these times of global warming, the last thing that should be happening is to inflict further damage to the shoreline woods north of Tarbet.”

Urquhart also urged the Petitions Committee to fulfill their promise of visiting the loch to see the situation for themselves. He hopes that they will do so during this upcoming consideration of the petition.

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will discuss the petition at its meeting at the Scottish Parliament on November 27, 2024. To view the full history of the petition, visit https://www.parliament.scot/get-involved/petitions/view-petitions/pe1967-protect-loch-lomonds-atlantic-oakwood-shoreline-by-implementing-the-high-road-option.