Scottish Conservative leader shocked at 'buck-passing' over state of Caithness roads
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has said it is "shocking" that the country's transport minister and the interim chief executive of Highland Council have both refused to come face to face with Caithness road campaigners.
Mr Ross accused the Scottish Government of having "passed the buck" on the issue and showing a "total lack of interest" in rural communities, adding that it appears the local authority "doesn’t want to help".
He said: “Caithness campaigners must be wondering where to turn to for support in pushing for greater road investment."
Mr Ross, who is a Highlands and Islands MSP, had a meeting in June with Iain Gregory, co-founder of Caithness Roads Recovery (CRR), and Thelma Mackenzie, chairperson of Thurso Community Council, to hear their concerns about the state of roads in the county.
Subsequently he wrote to Scotland's transport minister Fiona Hyslop and the interim chief executive of Highland Council, Kate Lackie, urging them to meet with CRR and the community council to discuss how more upgrading could be delivered.
In her reply, Ms Hyslop explained that most funding to local authorities from the Scottish Government is provided via a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to manage its own budget and to "allocate the financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities".
Any discussion on local road maintenance "would be better taken forward with Highland Council", the minister said.
Ms Lackie set out details of Highland Council's area roads capital programme.
"The overall investment in Highland roads totals £21.766m," she wrote. "The Caithness roads capital budget for 2023/2024 is £2,917,045.
"I can advise that there are regular monthly meetings held between Caithness members and senior Caithness roads staff where the revised list of priorities is discussed and agreed."
The interim chief executive pointed out: "It is worth noting that in Highland we manage and maintain the longest road network in Scotland and have responsibility for 6754km of road network. We simply do not have the resources to do all we would like, but are doing all we can."
She added: "I do not see that a meeting with me and the representatives of Caithness Roads Recovery would serve a substantive purpose at this time."
Mr Ross said: “These responses from the SNP’s latest transport minister and the interim council chief executive are completely unacceptable.
“I was delighted to meet with Thelma and Iain recently and hear directly from them about the disgraceful state of the roads in Caithness. They told me in no uncertain terms that urgent upgrades are required and I know how long they have been fighting for them.
“That is why I think it’s shocking that neither Fiona Hyslop nor Kate Lackie can find time to visit the area and meet with local campaigners in Caithness.
“It is typical of SNP ministers to neglect the needs of those living in rural and remote communities. They have shown a total lack of interest in them during their 16 years in office.
“They passed the buck to the council – but even the local authority doesn’t want to help, it seems."
Mr Ross praised the campaigners for “fighting tirelessly” for road improvements that local people and visitors rely on.
“The minister should come and see for herself the state of the roads in these communities and the council chief executive should agree to a meeting," he said.
“Roads upgrades are one of the biggest issues facing Caithness and I will continue to support local campaigners and take up their fight, even if others won’t.”
Mr Gregory said: "During our meeting, Mr Ross raised the possibility of contacting Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland, to discuss seeking financial support, duly ring-fenced, to rectify the shockingly neglected state of Caithness roads. CRR has now written back to Mr Ross asking him if he will progress this action, because if Highland Council cannot provide the £20 million or so needed, and the Scottish Government will not do so, then we need the UK government to step in. The people of Caithness deserve nothing less.
"It is little wonder that many people would like to see Caithness secede from Highland Council, and take control of their own affairs again. It is deeply disappointing that the interim chief executive has declined to meet with CRR, which has a huge following in the county, but this simply strengthens our resolve to continue to stand up for the county.
"CRR is meeting with Rhoda Grant, Labour MSP, next week, and will be seeking an appointment with the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar.
"If the Scottish Government will not take action, then we must call upon the opposition parties to pressurise them to do so."
Mr Gregory added: "I am delighted that Thelma Mackenzie, the hugely competent and dedicated chairperson of Thurso Community Council, stood side by side with CRR to fight for Caithness and its people. It is a shame that others do not have this level of courage."