Good Progress Being Made On Highland Roads Recovery And New Funding Announced

1st September 2021

Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee heard today that great progress is being made on Highland Roads Recovery.

The Committee also agreed the proposed distribution of an additional £9m capital allocation for infrastructure improvements from Phases 2 and 3 of the Health and Prosperity Strategy.

Item 9 of today's report focused on Roads and Transport Transformation and the Roads Capital Allocation Update.

This is in addition to the £1.6m already approved at full Council in June for Corran Ferry.

Members also noted that any underspend in this year's allocation will be carried forward into the next financial year.

Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Trish Robertson, said: "It is fantastic to see such excellent progress being made on the Highland Roads recovery.

"Additional capital spend throughout the area must also be welcomed and we are thankful to local members for their work in identifying priorities."

Another positive aspect of Highland Roads Recovery is the arrival of three of five new JCB Pothole Pro plant vehicles and two further machines are on the way, currently on the production line. The total cost for all five is £1m.

Sponsored by the Executive Chief Officer for Infrastructure, Environment and Economy, Malcolm MacLeod, the Roads and Transport Transformation project is one of the key nine priority projects within the Council's Transformation Programme.

Progress has been made in establishing an officer Project Board that will oversee achievement of clear milestones, within the three key areas of activity set out below.

To support the existing transport planning and strategy, design and construction management. Area operational and maintenance team will deliver services more effectively, improve performance and demonstrate value for money.
The second activity is based around the Highland Road Improvement Strategy and it's progress to date. The three separate workstreams are intended to provide an opportunity to level additional funding from external sources.
And the third area of activity focuses on the School Transport Review. A full report on the outcomes of a consultancy report (due before this committee soon) will inform further transformation activity in respect of the medium-term models for delivery of school transport solution in Highland - particularly important in the wider financial climate and drive towards low carbon transport solutions.
Members approved the distribution of the additional £20M Capital funding at the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on 2 February 2021.

Full details regarding amounts and which areas can be found in item 9 of the committee papers. See it See it HERE

The report HC/14/21 agreed at full Council on 24 June 2021 stated that the distribution of the Phase 2 and 3 funding (from the Health and Prosperity Strategy) was to be allocated as follows:

Infrastructure (structures, passing places, etc)

2021/22 - £4.0m

2022/23 - £2.5m

Totals - £6.5m

Roads, Plant and Machinery

2021/22 - £1.5m

2022/23 - £1.0m

Totals - £2.5m

Total - £9.0m