A local election candidate in Renfrewshire has said investment in the region’s roads must remain a priority in the next council administration.
Cathy McEwan, the current council’s infrastructure convener, said there is “always much more to be done” as she reflected on a report outlining how millions of pounds have been ploughed into improving the local roads network over the past three years.
This has included maintenance on more than one million square metres of roads and footpaths, £3million on strategic routes and £1.2m on drainage, reports the Gazette.
Councillor McEwan said: “I am sure that we would all agree that, irrespective of what administration is in power in Renfrewshire Council, continuing investment in our roads network should always be seen as a priority.
“Previous administrations have, as is right, prioritised roads investments and our administration has continued with this approach and went even further by approving a multi-year investment of £40million over a five-year period.
“This was agreed in 2019. That was the first time that this has been done, so this is taking investment through to 2024.”
The percentage of Renfrewshire’s roads requiring maintenance is now “significantly below” the Scottish average, according to a report by the council’s director of environment and infrastructure.ADVERTISING
Councillor McEwan, who hopes to retain her Renfrew South and Gallowhill seat for the SNP at the local elections on May 5, added: “There has been a continual improvement in the Renfrewshire roads network over the last 10 years, with an increased improvement over the last five-year period.
“This is how it should be but we must never rest on our laurels, as there is always much more to be done.”
Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, who is standing for Labour in Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, described the condition of the area’s roads as a “political problem.”
She said: “I do thank officers for a comprehensive report. However, I am disappointed that the report doesn’t even hint at ways that we can get better outcomes than we presently do.
“At the last full council meeting, the motion is passed calling for a fresh strategy to improve the state of local roads and pavements and I’m not seeing it here.
“I’m also not criticising officers. The condition of our roads is a political problem and the responsibility for that lies squarely with the SNP.”
