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The Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee yesterday (19 March) agreed how £12m will be allocated to roads reconstruction and network improvements across ����ɬ.

This is the first tranche of £24m investment, spread across two years, which was announced in the Council’s budget back in February.

This investment will ensure that the life of the infrastructure is extended, network resilience is strengthened and the need for reactive repairs and further capital investment are reduced in the long-term. 

This year, £6.8m will be allocated to improving drainage and resurfacing roads across ����ɬ. Each year, the share of funding is based on the percentage of road length in each administrative area.

Two million pounds will be earmarked for major, strategic schemes. These are works that would normally be unaffordable as part of the annual programme. 

For example, £1.1m has been allocated to improve the network on Islay and Jura. To overcome issues with ferry capacity and reliability, materials will be delivered to the islands by barge. In addition, materials used will be a modern deferred set or ‘cold mix’ macadam that can be manufactured in bulk and used over a longer period from initial mixing.

The remaining £3.1m of this year’s allocation will be spent on safety improvements. These include surface dressing, and pre-surface dressing work, to  seal roads, prevent water causing further damage, and improve skid resistance; replacing timber post vehicle barriers; and improving road signage where it is most needed.

Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said: “We know that the condition of our road network matters to our residents and to our visitors. The Council continues to make road improvements one of its priorities and this is evident by earmarking significant funding for the next two years.”