'We have been tackling some of the worst roads in the Highlands' – Roads funding boosted but a lot more needed, says Wick councillor
A special meeting of Highland Council convened yesterday, a Caithness councillor stressed the local authority's responsibility over the state of the county's roads.
Wick and East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner welcomed the additional roads funding that was agreed at the meeting which discussed the budget for the next financial year. As a result of the meeting, an additional £5.5 million will be spent over and above already agreed additional funding of £29 million for the Highlands.
Speaking to members yesterday, Cllr Bremner said: “Be absolutely sure, this council is responsible for the roads in your area. Many in here voted for previous budgets and many oversaw underspends that have contributed to the issues facing council and our communities. This council needs to take responsibility for that."
The councillor spoke to the paper this morning, stressing that whilst over £1.5 million has been spent repairing roads in Caithness in the past year, "we have a lot more to do" and that the new capital programme should start in the next few weeks. He said there could be increased funding up to £2 million being spent on the roads in the next financial year.
He continued: “It was clear from the comments from other councillors in other areas that they have problems as well. They were all commenting about road issues so much, that one councillor considered running a competition to see who had the worst roads in the Highlands.
“There is absolutely no doubt about it, in Caithness we have been tackling some of the worst roads in the Highlands. Some of the new road surfaces, like some of the new stretches of the A882 between Wick and Thurso could be considered now among the best but they are only like that because we have repaired them and are continuing to do so in other areas.

"We want all our failing roads to look good so that we have a road system we can be proud of and that is fit for our community. Securing the money and making sure we spend the money is vital in delivering that. I’m sure the new secured funds will help us accelerate the programme.”
At the same meeting, Wick and East Caithness councillor Willie Mackay said that some of the local pressure groups pushing for better roads were often failing to see "the bigger picture".
"As a driver across Caithness roads for many years, I know exactly what I'm talking about," said Cllr Mackay via an internet link to the Inverness meeting. "I welcome the extra money our administration has identified towards our roads because it will help the work already done by our roads team.
"We are subject to criticism no matter what our roads team do and it is easy for pressure groups to criticise us over the past two years but they don't see the bigger picture. They don't know what has been done and what is going to be done."
Cllr Mackay paid tribute to his colleague Cllr Bremner, who he said has "worked tirelessly in prioritising the mammoth load" that is faced in the county. "I will defend our roads team and let's applaud what has been done and what is being done," he added.
He finished up by firing a broadside at Councillor Andrew Jarvie, who currently represents Inverness South but wants to stand in the forthcoming council elections in Caithness. "Make sure that when you cross the Ord of Caithness, you'll have a magic wand with you and a pot of gold," he said in reference to Cllr Jarvie's recent comments on the state of Caithness roads.
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