Mull roads are in a dreadful state

I’m glad to read in The Oban Times that Councillor Alastair Redman from Islay recognises it is we drivers who are paying the price for Argyll and Bute Council’s failure to maintain our roads properly.

I have paid out quite considerably over the past few months for car repairs which I (and my expert garage man) know to have been caused or exacerbated by the shocking state of Mull’s roads. I am currently seeking compensation from the council for all this expenditure but I am not holding my breath.

I’m pleased the council is now proposing to spend £15 million over the next two years (and I’ve been told by Councillor Hugh MacGregor that work is due to start on a particularly notorious stretch here on Monday April 23 but I’ll believe it when I see it) but I wonder why nothing’s been done before.

Another Mull resident started a roads group a couple of years ago. Councillor Roddy McCuish came over for discussions, told us that something should and would be done, and went away again. Result? No action.

Councillor MacGregor told me there had been no money for roads over the past few years (magically, there now seems to be some). This argument is untenable and outrageous. I also have no money, but I still have to get my car mended and maintained.

We pay taxes (and councillors) and are fully entitled to a safe and satisfactory built environment, including our roads infrastructure.

As well as affecting island residents (delays, road closures, diversions and general mayhem), I feel that many of our spring/summer visitors will turn tail and disappear as soon as they arrive, rather than risk their tyres, exhausts, suspension etc etc.

I should also say that I’ve been in touch with Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’ Hara about this, and I hope to meet with him during his constituency visits and surgeries during the Easter recess.

In the meantime, anything more you can do to highlight this issue would be welcomed. Thank you.