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Time to get a better deal for our rural areas


By John Davidson

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Holyrood Notebook by Rhoda Grant

Iain Gregory of Caithness Roads Recovery pointing out the potholes at Braeside Retreats, Sibmister, earlier this year.
Iain Gregory of Caithness Roads Recovery pointing out the potholes at Braeside Retreats, Sibmister, earlier this year.

The Scottish Parliament elections are done for another term, and some familiar faces have gone and new ones have arrived.

I was delighted to be returned on the Highlands and Islands Regional List – to be given another term is an honour.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the tireless work that my now former colleague David Stewart did during his time in office.

His work on diabetes, road safety, ferries and a Public Service Obligation for Wick air routes will be remembered just as much as his strong cross-party ethic, and his love of an inspirational quote!

I want to send my congratulations to those re-elected with me on the list, as well as Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency MSP Maree Todd, and my best wishes go to the new MSPs for the region.

During the election I did a lot of phoning around the Highlands and Islands to see what communities were most worried about.

Alongside the issues of independence, health, mental health and social care and education, there was one constant – potholes and the state of the roads in their local areas.

The Caithness Roads Recovery group is doing sterling work highlighting the issue, showing the size of the many dangerous potholes and crumbling roads, and has been keeping me informed about its campaign and its recent meeting with Highland Council.

The group is right to feel that Caithness is being marginalised. I hear that again and again about local government and health services.

Rural and island areas of the region just don’t get the best deal and I wish I could get Scottish Government politicians to recognise that and do something about it once and for all.

When I took up Caithness Roads Recovery’s case initially, I discovered that the funding Highland Council receives for road maintenance amounted to £1000 a kilometre. That puts the Scottish Government investment into real perspective.

But still we get the same old from the Scottish Government and SNP MSPs when we take them to task about potholes, about education and, much of the time about health too.

Not our problem, they say, adding: “It’s up to the council/health authority how they spend their money and we give them plenty”. You get the drift.

What will it take to convince ministers and cabinet secretaries to visit Caithness, for instance, and talk to the people?

Will MSPs who make up the government just keep bashing those authorities and agencies that have to carry out the task of providing services against a background of huge cuts and job losses without getting stuck in to find solutions at their own door?

MSP Edward Mountain has lodged a motion in parliament seeking a cross-party debate on the roads situation in Caithness and I am supporting that. I also hope to see the situation for myself in the near future.

I support bids for “Levelling Up” funds which have been announced by the UK government – the £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

I live for the day when our rural areas do get better deals and better services and I will take action by holding the Scottish Government to account whenever I can.

  • Rhoda Grant is a Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands

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