Caithness councillor 'hopeful' Scottish Government could make funding available for north roads

A CAITHNESS councillor is "hopeful" additional funding to deal with deteriorating local roads will be made available by the Scottish Government.

Ron Gunn, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor, said the Scottish Government has replied to the appeal made by Highland Council but, so far, no details have been released.

Councillor Gunn, who chairs the Caithness committee, said: "I am hopeful we might get the money for improvements to the roads."

Speaking at last week's meeting of the Thurso Community Council, he also pointed out that the local authority plans to recruit extra staff and additional vehicles to try and "make a difference to the roads."

Community councillor, Colin Johnston, said the equipment needs to be improved and described the state of the roads and the pot holes as "a bloody shambles." He also claimed that Highland Council spent around £78,000 on machinery that is not working.

Chairwoman, Thelma Mackenzie, noted that the UK Government set aside £8.6 million for the Edinburgh Festival and wondered why something similar could not be done to deal with the state of the roads in the north. She said: "We need roads which are fit for travelling on."

Earlier, Matthew Reiss, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor, said another 10 roads have been added to the list of 168 which need to be done. That figures do not include pavements, he stated.

"The roads are breaking up faster than they can be repaired," added councillor Reiss who said Caithness and Skye have been identified as the two areas which could benefit most from additional resources.

Meanwhile, the amount of time motorists can park in some central areas of the town could be increased to two hours.

Councillor Reiss said a review of the situation is expected to be undertaken this month (May) by Highland Council.

"I think two hours would be about right and if people take advantage of it then they deserve a ticket," he said.

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