Caithness councillors agree on road spending priorities, acknowledging that current funding won’t meet all needs for maintenance and repairs.
Caithness: The council is planning to spend over £3 million on road repairs this year. But, honestly, it’s just not enough to cover everything that needs doing.
Councillor Ron Gunn, who leads the local committee, admitted they’re facing a funding shortfall. They’ve agreed on what needs to be prioritized, but it’s a tough situation.
Back in June 2023, there was a resurfacing program in Wick, and now the local area committee has set a list of priority works for the upcoming year. This will be funded from the Capital Budget for 2025/26.
Last March, the council laid out a three-year plan for road funding, with a total of £21.15 million to be shared. Caithness and Skye got a bigger slice of the pie to help maintain their rural roads.
This year, Caithness is getting about the same amount as last year, which is £3,162,594. Out of that, £50,000 is earmarked for structures.
Cllr Gunn took a moment to thank the local road workers for their hard work during the winter. He mentioned that while they don’t have all the funds they need, setting these priorities helps them make the best use of what they do have.
He said, “We will continue to do the best we can with the resources we have.” It’s all about making sure they can keep the roads in decent shape.
They based their priorities on various data sources, including safety inspections and feedback from local councillors. The area roads manager also shared updates on the work completed so far and what’s still on the list.
Cllr Gunn expressed gratitude to the staff who’ve been working hard during the recent bad weather. He praised their efforts in keeping the roads clear of snow and debris.
“They’ve been terrific and have worked so hard to keep routes open,” he said. It’s clear that the community appreciates their dedication.
