Council resurfacing works throughout Caithness – Cllr Bremner 'delighted' all the budget has been spent on county's roads this year
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The Highland Council roads team has been busy completing resurfacing work throughout the county, it was revealed at a community council meeting in Wick last week.
Wick and East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner detailed the "capital works" that had been carried out at numerous rural locations in the county and updated the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) on the progress.
"I’m delighted we have made sure that we have spent all the budget and more on our roads this year. After the cuts and underspends in recent years and by previous council administrations, we need to ensure that we spend all the allocated funding," he said.
Cllr Bremner said that the full list of capital works, agreed by Highland Council in December and relayed to RBWCC in January, had been completed and that "additional roads were also resurfaced".
The list of completed capital works includes Harpsdale, Backlass, South Dunn, Watten Level Crossing, Myrelandhorn, Norton Place, A836 at Forss House Hotel and Bilbster Bends.
Work was completed thanks to an extra £300,000 of funding agreed at the council’s economy and infrastructure meeting in September last year. The councillor explained that this means a "total of £1.5 million of capital works" has been delivered in this financial year.
It was further explained that a similar amount of capital works funding has already been committed for next year as part of the council’s £20 million capital spend for 2022/23. RBWCC was previously advised that a new list was being drafted as part of the roads department operations, and this was ratified at last week's Caithness committee.
Cllr Bremner said: "Whilst we are acutely aware of the condition of some roads and the challenges that we face with this, we can reflect on the considerable work that has been delivered and look forward to a similar application of commitment in the coming months to continue to help improve road surface issues."
He added: "One thing I want to make absolutely clear, the capital works are planned in advance, consulted with members and reflect the considerations of the professional view of officers.
"All of the capital works delivered this financial year were agreed at last year's capital programme discussions. The programme was committed to but could not be delivered due to Covid."
Cllr Bremner went on to thank the council’s staff and employees "for their commitment" in delivering the programme of works.
"We need to continually be working together to achieve a positive outcome," he added.
The revenue works were also listed to RBWCC and included plans for specific junctions in Wick. The council was made aware of "many concerns" in the town and Cllr Bremner detailed these to the roads department. The areas of concern included Glamis Rd; the junctions at Kenneth St; Newton Row; West Banks Ave; Barbara Place; the pedestrian crossing at the Co-op; Seaforth Avenue and a number of other areas.
"The council has already committed to attending to revenue works and this will be done progressively as resources and weather permits. During this past period of winter weather, our roads teams have been responsible for the delivery of the council’s winter maintenance and gritting programme," he said.
The councillor also said that a new Pothole Pro machine, purchased as part of the capital machinery investment, has now been filling potholes throughout the county and he will provide an update on that for RBWCC in the near future.
Highland Council's Redesign Board has been charged with reviewing the roads’ infrastructure for the county and a workshop was held recently. Cllr Bremner said it is "imperative" that all members of council, who wish to have input in delivering a new roads’ strategy for Caithness, should get involved in this process.
"[It] will assist determining future programmes and finance required to support the strategy and improve the recovery of our roads’ infrastructure. The council’s budget is due to be set in the next few weeks and whilst we have another £20 million to spend on capital Highland-wide, we need to look at increasing recurring revenue spend and resource and ways of increasing capital funding."
Cllr Bremner said there was still "a big challenge ahead of us" and the council’s redesign process will look to deliver a long-needed roads’ strategy that will help make the service more efficient. It will also help determine how "we finance the service and get best value return" on future investment, he added.
"We need to identify avenues of continued sustainable funding without detrimental effects on our communities in other areas such as schools. I hear so much about £200 million to repair all the roads in the Highlands, £26 million per year minimum to stand still, but while those figures are considerable and continue to be headlined, no one has yet ever proved to me that these are best value figures.
"We need to absolutely make sure that the service is the best we can offer. I’m committed to that and I know that others are also.”
Related articles:
- Councillors approve more than 100 priority road repairs for Caithness
- Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner hits back in council roads row
- 'Pothole killer' ready to roll and smooth out Caithness roads
