Crumbling street in Wick looks like a war zone, says Caithness campaign group
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A street in Wick town centre has been likened to a "war zone" because of its crumbling road surface and air of neglect.
Union Street is in a neighbourhood with visitor attractions and businesses but "looks to be an abandoned part of the town", according to Caithness Roads Recovery.
The campaign group posted a series of photos on social media showing some of the large potholes on the street, as well as clumps of grass sprouting from kerbs and pavements, and blamed a lack of investment and maintenance.
Highland Council says some repairs will be carried out on Union Street by early next month.
Caithness Roads Recovery highlighted the condition of the street following a meeting with Councillor Jill Tilt, who was elected recently to the Wick and East Caithness ward of Highland Council.
In a Facebook post, the group's co-founders Helen and Campbell and Iain Gregory stated: "We had a valuable discussion, where we highlighted the considerable public concerns relating to our roads and streets, and we had a walk around one or two of the streets in the Pulteneytown area, including Union Street.
"We spoke to a local businessperson who explained some of the issues faced by customers who in some cases are no longer prepared to use their cars on Union Street. We were also told of further problems arising from flooding on that street, apparently caused by blocked drains.
"We also learned that this street is busy with tourists on foot and in vehicles, possibly heading to the Wick Heritage Museum. What type of welcome is that to tourists?
"The street looks like something out of a war zone and, with the amount of grass growing along it, it looks to be an abandoned part of the town and not a part of the town with tourist attractions, and businesses that also see a lot of traffic.
"We must continue to campaign for a fair deal for Caithness."
The campaigners also said: "Jill has only very recently been elected, and we hope that our meeting has given her a useful overview of the situation – not only in the Wick and East Caithness area but throughout the county.
"It was also very heartening to be contacted so quickly by a newly elected representative, and we look forward to working with Jill in the future, as indeed we wish to do with all councillors, MSPs, and MPs."
Councillor Tilt said: "It was good to meet Helen and Iain and to hear of the work they are doing. We are all aware of the problems with the roads in the county and I am pleased that the council is progressing well with the repairs.
"We all want our roads fixed now and I wish by clicking my fingers they would all be fixed instantly. But I am not Mary Poppins. We need to be patient – the council has been doing a sterling job."
A Highland Council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that our local team does intend to carry out some repairs on Union Street. They have the jetpatcher booked for a few weeks at the end of September/start of October and Union Street is one of the roads identified on the programme of repairs."
Potholes can be reported to the council on its website using the “report a problem” form.
Related stories:
- Caithness Disabled Access Panel joins call from Caithness Roads Recovery to fix 'horrendous' pothole problem on far north roads
- 'The roads are literally falling apart on us...' Caithness driving instructors set out their concerns
- Caithness roads could be fixed with 'a comparatively small sum', campaigners insist
- Roads and healthcare campaign groups to work together on issues that 'affect everyone in Caithness'
