Cut Gaelic plan to fund front-line care services, argues Coghill
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MONEY should be withdrawn from the Highland Council’s Gaelic language plan to improve front-line care services in Caithness.
That is the view of Councillor Robert Coghill who said other services in the county would benefit from further funding.
His views come as Caithness Rural Transport users are fearing for the future of the service after hearing plans by the authority to reduce its budget by 35 per cent.
He said money being pumped into the Gaelic plan, which has proved unpopular in the Far North, could be put to better use.
“Ten out of 11 community councils in Caithness are against money being spent on bilingual road signs,” he said.
“One of the first priorities of any council is to provide front-line care. How can you do this when you are making cuts in the budget for rural transport but investing in Gaelic road signs?”
Caithness Rural Transport currently employs two paid drivers and has a pool of 20 volunteers.
The service picks up disabled and elderly passengers who live in rural areas to access services in Wick and Thurso. It is the only bus service in the county which is recognised as wheelchair friendly transport.
Mr Coghill added: “What is particularly galling is that many people living in rural areas have a free bus pass, but can’t use it compared to people living in towns. Caithness Rural Transport is a vital service to elderly people living in isolated areas but, as the Highland Council looks to reduce it budget, the cut may be unavoidable.”
