Councillor concerned about Cape Wrath road downgrade
A north-west Sutherland councillor has expressed concern that the road to a popular tourist destination has been downgraded in a list of maintenance works to be carried out by the local authority.
Marianne Hutchison, who represents the North, West and Central Sutherland ward, was speaking at a meeting of Sutherland County Committee in Drummuie, Golspie, on February 17 after roads manager Joanne Sutherland gave an update on the capital programme for roads in Sutherland this year.
Cllr Hutchison said. “I am concerned that in the space of a year, from February to February, the Cape Wrath Road has slipped from priority number two to priority number 54.”
The 11-mile Cape Wrath road, officially known as the U70, runs from West Keoldale Pier to the area’s famous Stevenson-designed lighthouse, an attraction visited by between 2,000 and 6,000 tourists annually.
The council is responsible for maintaining the road, but the mini-bus operator that takes tourists to the lighthouse was forced to suspend operations operating for a period last year because of the number of potholes on the route. In response to the concerns raised, the authority launched ‘Operation Pothole’ in May 2024, with road workers sent out to blitz the route.
Cllr Hutchison said that a number of local businesses employing local people depended on the Cape Wrath road.
“It is not reassuring to the community that it has slipped so far down the priority list,” she told the meeting.
Ms Sutherland replied that the list could be reviewed, but that Cape Wrath was on it and work would be done on the road. However, she said that Cape Wrath had to be seen as part of a whole and in the context of the wider county.
Councillors went on to approve the prioritised area roads capital programme for Sutherland, which will take place this summer and which has a focus on surface dressing.
The work will be funded from the council’s capital allocation for 2025/2026, as part of a three-year investment in roads totalling £21.15 million. The total allocation for the Sutherland area is £2.3 million.
County committee chairman, Cllr Richard Gale, said: “It is really encouraging to see the allocated budget being used productively.
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“For example, the eight-week surface dressing works planned for this summer will help to extend the life of our infrastructure and proactively maintain its condition before bigger issues arise.
“It is clear that the roads team has a constant overview of what is required, as well as what can be delivered within the budget we have available.”
