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Fixing potholes across Caithness means giving local councils more say over spending priorities, according to SNP candidates





The solution to the state of the roads across Caithness is putting more power into the hands of local decision-makers, according to the SNP MSPs hoping to become the next first minister.

All three of the leadership candidates suggested that funding mechanisms to local areas should be revisited.

Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes were answering a question from Iain Gregory of Caithness Roads Recovery at the leadership debate in Inverness on Friday.

Iain Gregory of Caithness Roads Recovery posed a question about how the candidates would fix Caithness's roads.
Iain Gregory of Caithness Roads Recovery posed a question about how the candidates would fix Caithness's roads.

There have been growing concerns that roads in Caithness have been neglected and that many are in a dangerous state due to the number and extent of potholes. Caithness Roads Recovery was launched as a campaign group in February 2021 by Iain Gregory and co-founder Helen Campbell, who has since left the group.

They have gathered evidence from people across the far north – including disabled people, pedestrians, motorists and cyclists – and put pressure on Highland Council and the Scottish Government to get together and come up with a workable plan to fix the county's roads.

Debate chairwoman Nicky Marr presented the candidates with Mr Gregory's comment, explaining: “The council-maintained roads network in Caithness is in a state of virtual collapse, with many roads now dangerous to use. The constant response from the Scottish Government is that 'this is a matter for the council', ignoring the fact that the sums required greatly exceed the council's resources. What action will you take as first minister to sort this out?”

Kate Forbes said she would give local authorities more financial freedom to make their own decisions, adding: "That means reducing ring-fencing as far as possible if not completely removing it.

Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes ahead of the leadership debate. Picture: Callum Mackay
Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes ahead of the leadership debate. Picture: Callum Mackay

"We’ve got £5 billion of capital to work with every year – that’s the money that needs to be spent on roads, on hospitals, on schools – our priorities need to reflect the needs across Scotland. In the north, roads are key."

Humza Yousaf said he understood how difficult the roads in Caithness can be.

"We’ve all said that local authorities should have a review of funding and of funding mechanisms," he said. "I think there’s also a strong argument to look at whether Highland Council seems too big, and I would be up for that review of Highland Council in particular, making sure that we devolve powers not just to local authorities but further, right into communities as well.

"Let’s go right into community councils like up there in Caithness and give them some more funding to help with their priorities."

Ash Regan said: "I live in the south of Scotland and we have similar issues with our roads down there, so I totally understand what's been raised about Caithness. I also agree we need to find a strategy to give fair funding to our councils.

"I actually went in to meet the permanent secretary today and I raised ring-fencing with him for local councils, and said we need to review this and give local communities more flexibility over how they spend their money, because what might be right for Edinburgh might not be right for Caithness."


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