An additional £3 million is to be invested in further work around the notorious landslide blackspot of the Rest and Be Thankful, but ministers are warned other options still need to be explored.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay made the announcement of the new money at the latest meeting of the A83 Task Force in Arrochar.

The group was set up to tackle the recurring problems on the the major road artery to mid-Agyll, Kintyre and the islands of Islay, Jura and Gigha.

The latest cash is additional to the £9 million that has already been spent around the Rest and Be Thankful in recent years.

The stretch of road has been repeatedly closed by landslides in the past, leaving drivers faced with a 50 mile plus detour using the A82 to Crianlarich and Tyndrum, or travelling by way of the Gourock to Dunooon ferry.

Mr Mackay said the extra money would be used to take forward landslide mitigation work in Glen Kinglas and at Strone Point corner.

The minister also asked for further work to be carried out into what extra measures could be used to ensure continuity of access to Argyll and Bute. He said:

"This is a vital route for communities in Argyll. We know how important it is that the road stays in operation to allow people to go about their daily lives and to allow the transfer of goods and services throughout the area.

"The most recent landslide events have shown us that we can keep Argyll open for business. The netting at the Rest and Be Thankful has prevented thousands of tonnes of rubble reaching the road and this has kept disruption to a minimum. The Old Military Road Diversion Route has shown it's worth and brought time savings for the drivers who have made use of it."

He said £32m had been spent along the length of the route in the last seven years.

Argyll and Bute Council's Depute Leader, Councillor Ellen Morton, also attended the meeting and warmly welcomed the additional investment.

She said:''Hopefully this additional work will further mitigate against the effects of landslips, however, netting works on the hillside remain a temporary measure. Although the Old Military Road has worked well during recent incidents, carrying thousands of motorists in and out, we still need to explore options which guarantee continuity of access."

She said it was only the Scottish Government that could provide the answer as it was ultimately a matter for the trunk roads authority.

''We need to find the best practical, affordable solution that we can and I am pleased that Transport Scotland's engineers will be undertaking further analysis of other options with a view to bringing an update to the next task force meeting.''