News / Road crisis up ahead
SHETLAND’S major roads are facing a crisis as they all overtake the end of their serviceable life at the same time, according to the council’s outgoing infrastructure chief Phil Crossland.
Asked why Orkney’s roads were in better condition despite less being spent on them, Crossland told Wednesday’s environment and transport committee: “Orkney has a lot of rock, we have a lot of peat.
“A lot of our minor roads are built on peat, and were not designed to current standards.”
Of greater concern is the fact that Shetland’s major road network was built in a hurry during the first oil boom 40 years ago to ensure Sullom Voe oil terminal was built as quickly as possible.
As a result the main roads are all deteriorating simultaneously, at the same time as a second oil and gas boom brings more traffic and the council is slashing its spending.
“The roads were built very quickly due to the oil boom, building up an issue where they are coming to the end of their serviceable life at the same time,” Crossland told councillors.
“I would say that the majority of our road infrastructure is suffering with increasing traffic volumes, less spending, and the new technology budget has gone down.
“We are not spending what Scotland would recommend we should; we are managing by reducing the rate of decline.”
Crossland praised roads manager Dave Coupe and his team for slowing the deterioration as much as they have.
“Most councils are managing a deteriorating network and at some time there will be a requirement for capital investment,” he added.
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