Extra funding for road and paths agreed

A fund for road and path repairs and improvements across Orkney is being recommended by councillors.

This week’s budget setting meeting of policy and resources committee backed a proposal from OIC leader Councillor James Stockan to establish the £2.1 million Roads and Paths Repairs and Renewals Fund.

If the recommendation is agreed at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, March 2, the fund will be set up using a contribution from OIC’s general reserves.

Councillor Stockan said: “The condition of many roads and paths across the Mainland and the Isles has deteriorated greatly in recent times.

“Surface dressing and other maintenance work planned for 2020 had to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and we have just experienced the worst winter weather for many years.

“Roads and paths have suffered as a result. Repairs and improvements are urgently needed and having additional funds in place will allow an early start when it becomes possible to carry out the work.

“The condition of our roads and paths will get worse the longer we leave this — by starting soon, we will end up saving money in the longer term.”

Councillors also recommended that a report go to the next meeting of the development and infrastructure committee, setting out a programme of repairs and improvements over the months and years ahead.