Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Tim Eagle raised the issue of consultancy fees linked with the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, during this week's session of First Minister's Questions.
Following a government response to a written parliamentary question submitted by Mr Eagle, it was revealed that more than £16 million had been spent on consultancy fees.
Mr Eagle asked the First Minister why so much taxpayer money had been spent on such fees, when work on the medium-term or long-term solutions hadn't yet begun.
The First Minister said, as part of his answer, that "we are delivering a range of measures in the short, medium and long terms to reduce the risk and impact of landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful, and the money that we have spent on consultancy will help us to achieve that."
Tim Eagle MSP said: "Residents and businesses across Argyll and Bute are beyond exasperated that spades are not yet in the ground for the long-term solution project, and warm words simply won't cut it.
"We need to see swifter action on delivering medium and long-term solutions for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, and this has to be one of Transport Scotland's top project priorities going forward".
The full exchange between Tim Eagle MSP and the First Minister can be found here.
