Wick facing 'emergency situation' over state of roads and pavements
Community councillors in Wick have lost patience over the state of the town's roads and pavements which they claim are "starting to fall apart".
They maintain that Wick is getting a raw deal compared with other parts of the country, with one member describing it as an “emergency situation".
Chairperson Joanna Coghill told the November meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council that they need to "lobby really hard" on the issue.
Members agreed to write to Highland Council's chief executive Donna Manson, copying in local politicians and the four Highland councillors for Wick and East Caithness.
Provost Jan McEwan told the meeting on Monday night that complaints about potholes on local roads are raised with her on a daily basis.
“I'm in Inverness every week, up Culloden and all over the place – no potholes," Councillor McEwan said.
“I don't think we're getting the funding we deserve for our roads. Personally I don't think we're getting our fair share.”
Mrs Coghill said: “We're getting nowhere. It's just not acceptable."
She pointed out that the problems are not confined to road surfaces but affect pavements too, including some that are part of the local authority's Safer Routes to School.
It emerged last month that Caithness has more road defects than Inverness, Lochaber and Nairn put together.
“We've been hearing the same story for too long now," Mrs Coghill said. “We are not accepting the fact that we are being fobbed off again.
“It's beyond a joke and it's a health and safety issue. We're paying our dues, we're paying our fees, and we're getting nothing back.
“We are going to write to our MP, MSP, Donna Manson and Highland councillors for Wick and East Caithness to see how far we can get. We need more funding up here.”
Mrs Coghill went on: “I've been all over the Highlands and Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh and Fife in the last five days. Wick in comparison is unbelievable.
"What they have got compared to what we have got... We're like the Third World."
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She was keen to emphasise that the local workforce is not at fault.
“I'm not slating the roads department – they do a fantastic job, the boys there," Mrs Coghill said. "They are a small team and they work very hard.
"But they need investment and they're not getting that.
“Things are going to be even worse over the winter – God help us next year. We'll be walking everywhere in the middle of the road because the pavements are so bad.”
Community councillor Allan Bruce asked whether money allocated to other parts of the Highland Council area could be redirected to address the “emergency situation that we've got in Wick at the moment”.
He said: “There are very dangerous bits in this town... I'd be more than happy to go around with a spray can and point out where some of these are.”
Mrs Coghill added: “Things are really starting to fall apart now and it's not acceptable. It's just shocking, and it's bad to see the town falling into such a state.”
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner (Wick and East Caithness) drew attention to the local authority's budget gap.
The budget leader, Councillor Derek Louden, warned last month of a forecast budget gap of £40.9 million for next year and the requirement for savings across all services.
Councillor Bremner said: "Back in March it was reported that £27 million was going to be the budget gap for the following year – and that's now £40m. If you're going to lobby, it's important that you have the context."
After the meeting, Mrs Coghill pointed out: "Many around the table gave examples of how it is now a health and safety issue for driving and walking in Wick – not just a few junctions, but most areas.
"We feel we have been overlooked and forgotten about by Highland Council, not just recently but for many years when it comes to our roads and pavements."