Communities throughout Mid Argyll are counting the cost, asking serious questions and planning for a recovery following the recent floods and landslides that devastated the area.
Two of the worst hit communities have been Kilmichael Glen and the Craignish peninsula.
A group of Kilmichael Glen residents arranged a meeting with Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto to highlight a number of questions they have about the severity and pace of the flood waters that swept through their area.
Mid Argyll councillor Jan Brown said farmers in the Kilmichael Glen area had lost livestock, with businesses and homes badly flooded, and sheds washed away by the strength of the torrent that swept through the glen.
The councillor said: “I think this has had – and will continue to have – devastating effects on the people who have been flooded.
“Loss of livestock, businesses and so much that we all take for granted, comfort and security. I’m working with folk in the glen to try to help in any way possible.
“This seems to have slipped past and got lost amongst the bigger events that happened during the storm, but it is every bit as devastating for those involved.
“I have been shocked at the trail of destruction left behind.”
In Kilmichael Glen, resident Alphedia Arara Kenchington, said: “A massive wave of water just came down the River Add – the water came so fast.
“The force of it knocked down fences. My husband had to jump through the window.
“There are definitely questions.
“We are all looking at thousands of pounds of damage.”
Craignish Community Council was due to hold an unscheduled meeting in Ardfern on Wednesday night as the Advertiser went to press to address the urgent challenges it faces while the A816 road remains closed due to the massive landslide just south of the village, cutting off access to Lochgilphead without a long detour via Inveraray.
The community council gathered questions to ask Argyll and Bute Council, which included a request for “alternatives to the Oban-Inveraray route” – with questions asked about possible minor road or forest track options and a possible water taxi.
Anxious Craignish residents want to know what is being done to limit the impact on emergency services reaching the peninsula.
They also had questions on the help available for people who need prescriptions and appointments at doctors and dentists.
Craignish residents want to know what the council’s plans are for Ardfern primary school pupils who live south of Craignish, and what the plans are for the primary school in general given that some teaching staff live south of the landslide.
They also want to know about the plans are for secondary school pupils who attend Lochgilphead High School.
The Craignish Community Company announced on Facebook it was taking out a full page advert in the Advertiser’s sister paper The Oban Times “that will basically say that Craignish is still open for business and we’d love people to visit as usual”.
Road updates
Argyll and Bute Council updated its guidance on road closures and re-openings earlier this week.
A816 at Ardfern
“Following drone surveys and modelling that took place last week contractors mobilised on site over the weekend.
“The main focus just now is to stabilise and safely bring down some of the precarious boulders on the hillside. From the surveys carried out we know that the largest of these boulders weighs up to 70 tonnes.
“Clearing the area of these is our main priority before we can deploy machinery to clear up the debris on the road. This will be a relatively quick operation once it begins.
“The road remains closed with a diversion in place which is via the A83 – A819 – 85 or vice versa. Whilst we aim to reopen a route along the A816 corridor as quickly as we can we will only do so when it is safe to do so.
“We are currently working with partners regarding alternative options for reopening this route.
“We are working with the local bus company to reschedule bus services to provide a service on the diversion route of the A83, A819, A85 in both directions. We will provide a further updates here.”
B840 between Eredine and Blarghour
“This road is closed due to a landslip. We began to clear this last Wednesday, after clearing the landslip further down the B840. There is also a culvert which was damaged in the landslip. This culvert has been assessed and is currently being repaired ahead of resurfacing works which we expect to be doing towards the end of this week.”
C30 West Loch Awe
“This road is closed because of a landslip. We are making good progress with clearing the debris. Once this is done we will move on to reinstating the embankment supporting the road.
“We are going to need to install around 700 tonnes of rock armour to reinstate the steep embankment which supports the road. These works will be ongoing for around a further three weeks during which the road will remain closed to through traffic. Communities can gain access from either end but are unable to travel through.”
B840 between Ford and Eredine (landslip)
We have managed to repair the defects along this road and it has re-opened to local traffic however this route is narrow with passing places and is not suitable for diversion traffic.