Why is there a white lining machine at Thurso sitting unused near a dangerous unmarked road?
Another Caithness councillor has highlighted the issue of unpainted road junctions and questions why the machine designed for the task is sitting unused at the council’s depot in Thurso.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss contacted the paper after reading about fellow Caithness councillor Jan McEwan’s campaign to have markings painted at a potential accident blackspot in Keiss.
“Like her, I am finding it difficult to get responses from the council,” said Cllr Reiss who is part of a group of independent councillors known as the Highland Alliance which is not aligned to the SNP administration.
“We have asked several times for information about white lining at the most serious safety locations in the county. The staff, as always do their best but there are, we are told, no resources to do this really urgent work.
“This is in stark contrast to the glib assertions from the council administration that millions extra are to be spent on the roads. All well and good but here is the reality on the ground, namely that public safety is being compromised.
“Extra staff are needed, as is extra funding which MSP Maree Todd is taking an interest in – the Scottish Government’s funding formula for rural councils needs reassessed. There seems to be a total inertia and reluctance to face up to this basic fact but I hope this will change.”
The councillor shared pictures he took showing white lining equipment at Highland Council’s Janetstown depot in 2023. The depot is close to a busy junction at Glengolly with the B874 Thurso-Shebster-Reay road that, he claims, has been without white lines for years after it was resurfaced.
“It is a 60-mph limit and is a few hundred yards from the roads depot,” he added. “There is not the best visibility there and it is a busy road. The facts speak for themselves.
“The council says there are no spare resources which is the truth. However, the administration persists in alleging all will be well – these basic safety issues cannot wait – we ask the council leader to intervene and help get these essential works done.
“We managed to force action on the Thurso Coop carpark after maybe two years of pressure – let’s hope this pattern of endless delays finally comes to an end. Highland Alliance members and, no doubt others, would be quick to praise any improvement in this matter.”
Iain Gregory from pressure group Caithness Roads Recovery (CRR) said he had heard from Highland Council (HC) that the white lining machine at the Thurso depot is broken.
He added: “I seem to recall hearing that a year or so back, and I am not convinced that this is a plausible excuse. So, can I suggest that Highland Council either; (a) fix the machine; (b) get another one from elsewhere in HC; or (c) call in contractors.
“We have heard much about the promised £2 Billion of infrastructure investment to be spent over the next 20 years, so perhaps we can see some of it being spent forthwith?”
Mr Gregory also referred to the “completely unacceptable situation in Keiss” that Wick and East Caithness councillor Jan McEwan had highlighted recently.
“CRR receives numerous comments and contacts from the public across Caithness, expressing deep concerns about the apparent inability of the council to apply markings, not only after roadworks, but in locations where years of lack of maintenance has resulted in the obliteration of vital warning lines.
“When CRR was first formed in 2021, Helen Campbell and I told the then leader of the HC, and the then CEO, that the lack of junction markings across Caithness was dangerous and would lead, inevitably, to accidents. Three years later, things are no better – indeed, they are worse.”
He adds that Cllr McEwan is “absolutely correct” when she says that the lack of road markings at Keiss is “an accident waiting to happen".
“She also highlights the fact that this is supposed to be a ‘safe route to school’. It is certainly not ‘safe’ – it is a tragedy waiting to happen. The crossing is located on the brow of a hill, with restricted visibility as a result. Reinstatement of the zebra marking must be expedited immediately.
“CRR also agrees that a pelican type crossing would be a far better option but, meantime, the council need to get this sorted out right away.”
On a final note, Mr Gregory also condemned the lack of road markings at the mini roundabout in Wick. “I am not surprised Cllr McEwan has had a few close shaves there – it is simply a matter of time.”
The points put forward by Cllr Reiss were sent to Highland Council and it was asked about the current status of the white lining machine at Thurso but no reply was forthcoming at the time of publication.