Concerns grow over 'appalling' state of Wick's potholed streets
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Far north politicians are being urged to take a tour of Wick's potholed streets and see for themselves how the town is "falling to bits".
Joanna Coghill, chairperson of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, spoke out over the "appalling" state of some local streets and challenged local MSP Maree Todd and MP Jamie Stone to come and see the worst spots for themselves.
“You go to Dornoch or Inverness, anywhere, and their roads are lovely," Mrs Coghill said. "And you come to ours and you think, 'Oh my God.'
“The town looks so appalling, the state of the roads and pavements.”
Mrs Coghill told the community council's January meeting on Monday night that she and fellow member Alastair Ferrier had walked around some parts of Wick on Saturday morning counting and measuring potholes.
“There are some serious ones,” she said. “They range from one inch deep to three-and-a-half inches.
“On Station Road there were nine lengths of separate potholes. We noticed that some had been repaired but it doesn't last a bang.
“We have been going on about potholes for such a long time.
“I wrote to our MSP and MP. Maree Todd [MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross] did get back to me and she said it's not a Scottish Government problem, it's a Highland Council situation where they have to sort out their money.
“I'm still waiting for our MP to get back to me. I would like to invite them up and spend a day walking or driving in Wick.
“It's so unfair. Our town is falling to bits.”
Mrs Coghill described River Street and Northcote Street as "horrendous” and flagged up one damaged section of Thurso Road which she said had the potential to cause a burst tyre.
Community councillor Allan Bruce highlighted a collapsed drainage channel in Bridge Street which he said had still not been repaired despite being reported to Highland Council in September 2021.
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner, who represents Wick and East Caithness on the local authority, pointed out that a number of junctions and other "areas of concern" are on the list for improvement.
He added: “River Street is on the capital programme for an entire resurfacing.”
After a discussion that became heated at times, Councillor Bremner told community councillors: “I've heard what you've got to say about it.
"If you feel that there's anything more substantive that we can do with the money that we've got available at the moment then let me know what your ideas are."
After the meeting, Mrs Coghill said: "The roads in Wick are in such a state, making our town look pretty bad – and dangerous for drivers. Our roads team needs additional money now to start a repair programme as soon as the weather permits.
"I'm tired of talking about potholes – we need repair work.
"As I said, I think we should invite both our MSP and MP to spend a day walking and driving in Wick to see what we locals have to contend with daily."
