Caithness Transport Forum calls for Scottish Government investment in deteriorating north road network
Caithness Transport Forum is calling on the Scottish Government to pay for a major upgrade to the county's crumbling road network, describing it as "a matter of huge importance" to the public.
Forum members heard at their latest meeting of the worsening situation in Caithness and across the north, amid concerns that the investment required to bring the network up to standard is "beyond what Highland Council can reasonably achieve".
The forum has written to Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson requesting that additional funding be provided to the local authority to address the impact that this deterioration is having on businesses and communities around the region.
It comes after intensive campaigning by local group Caithness Roads Recovery, formed recently by local residents Iain Gregory and Helen Campbell to highlight the condition of roads in Caithness and north-west Sutherland and to call for extra investment.
Trudy Morris, chairperson of Caithness Transport Forum, said: “The need for regeneration of the road network across the Highlands is not a new issue, but it is one that has grown in importance year on year. It has been brought to a head recently as long-standing issues have been exacerbated by the difficulties arising from carrying out maintenance activities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The scale of the investment required – estimated to be around £177 million a few years ago, and now undoubtedly higher – to bring the road network up to standard is beyond what can reasonably be expected within the budgetary constraints that local authorities face.
"Highland Council manages a larger road network than any other local authority in Scotland, and many portions of that network are now reaching the end of their natural lifespan.
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2 / 2“We have written to the cabinet secretary on this matter and have already received a response from the Scottish Government reiterating its position that this is solely a matter for Highland Council – a response we find to be hugely disappointing.
“There is no doubt that this is an issue which requires strategic investment from the Scottish Government to address the very real impact that poor roads are having on communities and businesses in the north Highlands.
“It is clear that this is a matter of huge importance to every user of the local roads network – from cyclists undertaking their daily commute to businesses moving freight across the nation – and we have no doubt it is an issue that will weigh heavily on voters’ minds come election day.
“As a forum, we will continue to work with Highland Council, Transport Scotland and all other stakeholders in the road network to lobby for continued and increased investment in both local and trunk roads serving the north Highlands.”
Caithness Roads Recovery has insisted that the funding needed to fix deep potholes and deteriorating carriageways across the far north would be "a drop in the ocean" compared with the hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money committed to projects in other parts of Scotland.
The group has been writing to politicians and other decision-makers demanding action, saying that "this issue is right at the top of the agenda for many people".
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “We fully recognise the importance of a safe and reliable trunk road network and expect to invest £529 million in its maintenance in 2021/22, as set out in the budget.
“Maintenance of the local road network is the responsibility of local authorities and we continue to ensure our partners in local government receive a fair funding settlement. We are providing £11.6 billion this financial year which individual local authorities will allocate on the basis of local needs and priorities.
“In 2021/22, Highland Council will receive its fair share totalling £530.6 million to fund local services, which includes an extra £13.3 million to support vital day-to-day services, equivalent to an increase of 2.7 per cent compared to the previous year.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: "The council has recently agreed to spend a further £20 million on roads assets over the next two financial years. How this money will be spent in each area will be discussed at the relevant area committee in April.
"The A9 and the A99 are trunk roads and the responsibility for these rests with Transport Scotland / Bear NW Scotland."
At its meeting, Caithness Transport Forum also heard an update on progress being made towards a public service obligation (PSO) at Wick John O’Groats Airport.
“The forum was pleased to note the progress towards a PSO, with investment secured from the Scottish Government and Highland Council, and a positive discussion held with UK government regarding match funding," Ms Morris said.
“We understand that, through Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, good progress is being made towards drawing up specifications for a PSO. We welcome the work that has been done on this important issue and commend the efforts of all partners to secure lifeline air services from Wick.”