Potholes are stressing people out, say Caithness road campaigners
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Caithness residents are enduring a "nightmare" because of the state of local roads – and some are finding that even just the thought of driving is now too stressful, it has been claimed.
Their concerns have been highlighted by Caithness Roads Recovery, the local campaign group that is demanding major investment in roads that have been badly affected by potholes and other damage.
Group founders Helen Campbell and Iain Gregory have arranged to speak to Highland Council bosses next week but in the meantime are losing patience with the Scottish and UK governments, accusing each of adopting a "nothing to do with us" attitude.
Mrs Campbell said: "Caithness has been at the forefront of nuclear research for decades, we are at the cutting edge of renewable energy projects and we are now part of a world-class tourist destination which is being threatened by the state of our roads. The people of Caithness make a huge contribution to the financial wellbeing of Scotland and the UK, and we are entitled to a fair return.
"We have a number people writing in to us explaining how stressed they are just thinking about driving these days, let alone the stress they have to put up with on the roads. Some have said they try their best not to drive now because it has become so unsafe and so stressful – and they worry about the expense if their vehicles are damaged.
"We are living in this nightmare on a daily basis and we doubt that the First Minister would be happy to put up with this around her home for just one day. It feels like 'out of sight, out of mind'. But we live here, we matter too and we deserve better."
Mrs Campbell and Mr Gregory have warned of the "catastrophic situation facing Caithness" and have been pressing the case for urgent action and funding with councillors, politicians and Holyrood election candidates.
They have a meeting scheduled with Highland Council's chief executive Donna Manson and the executive chief officer for infrastructure and environment, Malcolm MacLeod, next Friday (May 14).
Mrs Campbell and Mr Gregory have written to Nicola Sturgeon and to Alister Jack, the Secretary of State for Scotland, as they were "far from happy" with the replies to earlier letters.
"In the case of the First Minister, we received the usual reply from Transport Scotland referring us to Highland Council, and Mr Jack's office referred us to Transport Scotland," Mr Gregory said.
"This will not do. Highland Council indicates that the issue is down to a lack of funding from the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government insists it's nothing to do with them and it is all a matter for Highland Council. And now the UK government says that we need to speak to Highland Council and Transport Scotland.
"That is exactly what we have been doing, with a game of political pass the parcel going on from day one. It is now time for all of them to sit down, talk to each other and take responsibility, and we have told them so."
Mr Gregory added: "We may simply be two private citizens who are taking action because, quite frankly, someone has to. But if Highland Council, the Scottish Government and the UK government think we are going to accept a 'nothing to do with us' attitude while the people of Caithness continue to live with what is now approaching a Third World infrastructure, with a clear and present danger to life and livelihoods, while governments do nothing, then this is a serious error of judgement. It is also completely unacceptable."
Related stories:
- Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant backs Caithness Roads Recovery group in calling for action on potholes across the far north
- Jamie Stone sends dossier to Michael Gove to highlight 'mammoth-sized' Caithness potholes
