COUNCIL AGREES CASH BOOST FOR ROADS MAINTENANCE

[Kintyre Forum News]

COUNCIL AGREES CASH BOOST FOR ROADS MAINTENANCE

Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to bring forward more than £1million to go towards repairing roads damaged by the severe winter weather.

The Council’s 2,300km roads network sustained significant damage over the Christmas period, during which Scotland saw its coldest spell since 1914.

The authority has now decided to accelerate £1.1million of capital money from future years, to be spent in the current financial year.

A list of priority locations has been drawn up, and work will be undertaken by the end of March 2010.

Among the more major works to be carried out within that timescale are:

Mull – A849 Tobermory-Salen and A849 Salen to Craignure

Helenburgh – Millig Street, Suffolk Street and Sinclair Street, and footways

Cowal – B839 Hells Glen and B828 Glen Mhor summit to Hair Pin Bends

Islay - C14 Ardtalla Road and UC49 Cladich Road

Lorn – C29 Kilchrennan, Dalavich, Kilmelford and B844 Kilninver to Ellanbeich

Mid Argyll – Oban Road, Lochgilphead and B841 Bellanoch East and West

Kintyre – Dalsmirren Road and A83 Clachan

Council Leader Councillor Dick Walsh said the effect of the prolonged cold weather on the Council’s roads network had been severe.

“There is significant evidence across Argyll and Bute of roads and pavements which have been lifted by frost heave, and this leaves behind a failing structure which is susceptible to damage.

“When the weather improved, survey work was undertaken throughout the area , and a list of priority remedial works required was drawn up.”

He added that as it was an extreme weather issue rather than a roads backlog one, it was important that the additional capital spend agreed was allocated on a needs basis.

“Overall, the current estimate for repairing the frost damage caused during the extreme weather is estimated to be some £5million,” Councillor Walsh said.

“By agreeing to accelerate £1.1million of capital spend into this financial year, our overall spend on roads reconstruction this year will be over £7million. This will allow us to address the most serious issues, and undertake the remedial works so as to avoid a major deterioration of the network.

"In addition, the roads reconstruction programme will be further reconsidered and reviewed as part of the capital plan, which will be submitted to the Council next month."