People starting to feel like 'prisoners in their own homes' because of state of Caithness roads
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Campaigners have warned that anxiety levels are rising over the state of Caithness roads and some people are starting to feel like "prisoners in their own homes" because they fear driving would be too risky.
Helen Campbell, of Caithness Roads Recovery, insisted that funding is needed immediately for a large-scale programme of repairs to potholes and other damage – and spoke of her concern about the impact on health and wellbeing as many road surfaces worsen.
Fellow campaigner Iain Gregory says there is recognition that the situation has become totally unacceptable and he is calling for urgent action "before lives are lost".
Mrs Campbell and Mr Gregory, who began their campaign earlier this year amid growing concern over crumbling roads in Caithness and north-west Sutherland, are preparing to give two MSPs a close-up view of the problem.
They are due to meet Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Maree Todd on June 11 ahead of a proposed Holyrood debate on the issue following a motion submitted by Edward Mountain, Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands. They hope to take Ms Todd on a tour of Caithness to allow her to see at first hand what local residents, businesses and tourists "are having to suffer".
They are arranging a similar tour with Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant ahead of the debate. They have already met with Mr Mountain and local MP Jamie Stone.
Mr Gregory said: "Since the launch of this campaign, we have met with politicians from all parties and there is no doubt whatsoever that the situation has been recognised as being totally unacceptable.
"What we need now is action – rapidly and without prevarication – before lives are lost. We look forward to our meetings with the MSPs and sincerely hope that the debate in Holyrood goes ahead very soon and that full cross-party support will be given to Mr Mountain's motion."
Mrs Campbell said: "Each vehicle owner is responsible for keeping their vehicle roadworthy and legal – but our roads are destroying this. How legal is that?
"What is very worrying is the growing impact on the health and wellbeing of many people living in Caithness. We have to endure this on a daily basis.
"Anxiety is rising, and some people are beginning to feel like prisoners in their own homes because they are too frightened to drive on these dangerous roads. The safety of everyone must always come first – it cannot wait for politics, and we need action now."
Last month, Caithness Roads Recovery took part in an online meeting with Highland Council's chief executive Donna Manson and leader Margaret Davidson, with local councillor Matthew Reiss also present.
The meeting ran to around two-and-a-half hours, during which Mrs Campbell and Mr Gregory delivered a presentation about the aims of the campaign and showed photos of some of the worst roads in the area. They also highlighted the level of public disquiet in the county.
Mr Gregory said: "We are of course very grateful to Donna Manson for meeting with us, and we believe that we made the case for Caithness very clear indeed. We now await proposals from the council regarding the steps it intends to take.
"Money is simply not an issue, in terms of Scottish or UK government budgets. The sums needed for Caithness are very small indeed compared with the vast amounts being spent elsewhere, and it is quite wrong that our area should not receive the investment to which it is entitled."
Mrs Campbell added: "There is a lot of funding available for projects around Scotland and we need a small portion of that to repair our roads and allow our community to live life as it should be, where we can travel safely without fear of accidents, damage to our vehicles and personal injury, and where business can thrive and survive, including our much-needed tourism."
The campaigners say they are also looking forward to seeing the recommendations made by Tracey Urry, the council's head of roads and transport, following her recent visit to Caithness.
