ARGYLL and Bute Council would need to spend £120 million to bring all its roads up to a perfect standard, an official has said.
The admission was made after a report stated that there would be a deterioration in road conditions as a result of reduced funding in the area.
A council policy lead, and the leader of its opposition, described the report as “sobering” after it was revealed that funding could be as low as £2m.
It was also warned that some roads may need to be temporarily closed in extreme circumstances if they are found to be unsafe to use.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, December 19.
In a report in advance of the meeting, executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “Contained within this report is a summary of the reduced amount of roads reconstruction work as a result of significantly reducing capital funds.
“The reduced funding will result in a deterioration to our road condition which in turn will increase the demand on reactive repairs to potholes and other surface defects.
“Signage is anticipated warning of uneven road surfaces and in extreme circumstances roads may need to be temporarily closed if deemed unsafe to use.”
Councillor Tommy MacPherson (Independent, South Kintyre) asked: “What percentage of roads are regarded as being in extremely poor condition?
“I also recall a figure of £100m in estimated work for infrastructure projects. What is the figure now, when we have 50 per cent of roads deemed not to be in good condition?
“In East Kintyre, we have had two bridges damaged by weather incidents, and have an ongoing weather event at Ardfern.”
Hugh O’Neill, the council’s network and standards manager, responded: “It is a £120m deficit. Those are the SCOTS (Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists) figures for transport across Scotland to bring roads up to A1 condition.
“[A total of] 48.9 per cent was the last RCI (road condition index) for last year, which did not cover all of our islands; there were at least three missed off if.
“We have recently received an RCI figure, which officers are going through now. It has moved us up to 54 per cent at amber or red condition. Amber means it should be fixed as quickly as possible and red means deterioration.
“With £2m of funding, we need to look very carefully at it. There was the Bellwin scheme for emergency situations from national government, but we are sitting with a budget hole for roads and infrastructure.”
Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) remarked that the report was “sobering”, while Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) added: “It is pretty sobering when you look at it.
“If we end up with £2 million, contracts will no longer be available and for our own workforce, it will be a potential issue as well.
“What the solution is, I do not know, but it will be up to members in February.
“Could the chair add a congratulation to TALIG (The Argyll, Lomond and Islands Group) for having £8 million available in funding in the last five years?”
TALIG was the council’s ruling group until April, when the group of councillors now known as the Strategic Administration Group took charge.
Councillor Armour responded: “I am sure that with the help of the strategic timber fund, it was a little easier for TALIG to contribute a bit more, but that is noted.”
Andrew Galloway,
Local Democracy Reporter
