Sir, Why have conditions on the A85 and A828 deteriorated so rapidly this winter (‘Public slam ‘shambolic’ and ‘disgraceful’ roads’, The Oban Times, January 11)?
The weather has not been particularly inclement, but anyone travelling between Oban and Ballachulish will be only too aware of increased HGV traffic associated with clear-felling forest operations. Not only are deep and dangerous ruts produced at the edges of the carriageway as lorries and buses travelling in opposing directions avoid each other, the carriageway is stressed and breaking up.
Connel is by far the worst, but look also at George Street in Oban - newly resurfaced only a few years back - and elsewhere en route to Corpach and Ardrishaig.