Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, today highlighted constituents’ concerns about the poor condition of many local roads in the Highlands & Islands.
Speaking at today’s Question Time in the Scottish Parliament, Jamie questioned the Transport Minister Keith Brown on the subject, emphasising that the many pot holes on local roads cause damage to cars, are dangerous to motorcyclists, and give tourists a bad impression of the region.
Jamie asked the Minister what recent discussions he had had with local authorities in the Highlands & Islands on the subject, and whether the Minister believed that enough was being done to address concerns that had been voiced repeatedly by Audit Scotland.
The Minister said that local road maintenance was a matter for local authorities, whose budgets were under severe pressure, and that it was always possible to do more.
Mr Brown confirmed that the Scottish Government would be adopting the Kennacraig-Campbeltown section of the A83 as a trunk road from July this year, taking over responsibility for this from Argyll & Bute Council. Jamie and others, including Councillor Donald Kelly (Argyll First, South Kintyre), have been campaigning for a number of years for this section of the road to be re-trunked.
Commenting after Question Time, Jamie said:
“Complaints about the poor condition of local roads, and the number of potholes, are frequently raised with me by constituents across the Highlands & Islands.
“Audit Scotland itself has noted that public concern about the condition of Scotland’s roads remains high, and has recommended further efforts by councils.
“While all of us are aware of the pressure on local authority budgets, many constituents believe that road maintenance must be a high priority, and I agree with them.
“I will continue to speak up on behalf of constituents who want to see improvements in the interests of road safety and ensuring tourists are not left with a poor impression of my fantastic region”.