Work to repair Highland roads underway again following last week's period of wintry weather with Caithness residents and motorists urged to report potholes in their area by Highland Council

Last week during a spell of wintry weather The Highland Council’s roads team was kept busy providing a daily gritting, and where necessary, winter ploughing service, but with better weather forecast the crews are switching to concentrate their efforts on carrying out road repairs across all areas.

Councillor Margaret Davidson, the leader of the council, said: “Our staff have done a terrific job over what has felt like a particularly cold and long winter, keeping roads and footpaths clear of snow and ice, protecting vital connections between remote communities and supporting the NHS vaccination programme.

"The negative effect the winter weather has had on our road conditions is clear to see. Staff have, where possible, fitted in around their winter gritting duties, temporary pothole repairs using cold tar, but I am pleased that the programme of planned pothole repairs and other road maintenance works will start in earnest as the weather improves and there are no frosts.

“Last year the council announced its biggest ever single investment in roads with an extra £20 million of capital and an additional £1.3million of annual revenue for road maintenance, highlighting the importance the council places on improving the road network.

"This investment in our roads network helps keep our communities connected and is essential for business. We have nearly 7,000 kilometres of roads in the Highlands and investing in maintaining this critical network is always going to be challenging.

“The impact of the pandemic has delayed much of the work over the past year and now the spell of severe weather is over, our focus can return to completing the programme of repairs and improvements.”

Motorists can report potholes using the online ‘potholes’ form on the council’s website.

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