Councillor claims road maintenance ‘double standards’

Council denies claim, saying money is spent where it is most needed

A Fife councillor has claimed double standards exist when it comes to roads maintenance across the region.

Councillor Donald Lothian, who represents the Howe of Fife and Tay Coast ward, said he felt parts of northeast Fife were being treated as the poor relation, noting that certain roads in more central areas seem to be given preferential treatment.

The issue has been Fife faces a possible maintenance backlog.

A report to councillors in August warned the spend on planned maintenance is due to fall from £10.7m this year to £5.8m in 2017-18 and as low as £3.9m the following year.

Mr Lothian said: “Several residents in my ward have mirrored my observation that certain roads in Glenrothes appear to be maintained to a gold standard when north-east Fife gets a bronze.”

He added: “It is generally accepted flagged up as £95.6 million that money is tight, but what I am seeking is a fair spend across Fife of what money that is available.”

In response, Councillor John Wincott, Fife Council’s environment and transportation spokesperson, denied the assertion that certain places were getting special treatment.

He said: “All areas of Fife have the same maintenance standards based on volume of traffic, severity of defects, original road construction and classification of road.

“There is no such thing as gold versus bronze standards, all of our roads are treated equally.”

Mr Wincott went on to suggest that comparing the A912 with the B969 was “not straightforward”.

“The A912 is a rural through route, whereas the B969 is an urban route,” he noted.

“Urban routes carry a much higher volume of traffic than rural roads, which means they need different treatments compared with rural ones.

“The A912 has featured prominently in current and ongoing consultations with North East Fife Area Committee members for the development of the 2017/18 Area Transportation Works Programme, and it will be a recommended scheme for the committee to consider at its meeting in January.”

Several residents in my ward have mirrored ny observation that certain roads in Glenrothes appear to be maintained toagold standard when northeast Fife gets a bronze. COUNCILLOR DONALD LOTHIAN

Picture: Steve Brown. Councillor Donald Lothian believes Fife Council is neglecting to maintain roads in parts of the region while giving other areas special treatment.