The programme of initiatives planned by the council鈥檚 Environment, Development & Infrastructure (EDI) Committee will be funded both by the council and its partners.
Included in a range of roads and infrastructure developments for 2022-2023 are:
- 拢5.4m in improvements to bridges providing essential links between Argyll and Bute communities;
- 拢155,000 to carry out upgrading on dozens of playparks across the region;
- A 拢15.2m scheme to provide flood protection to Campbeltown, supporting local businesses and protecting the investments in the town;
- 拢900,000 to deliver an upgraded pontoon facility at Rothesay harbour, as part of plans to unlock the potential of the marine tourism sector.
In addition, an package of council-funded developments is also planned for the coming year including an 拢8m programme of improvements to the road network, more than 拢10m investment in various marine projects, a 拢1m scheme to repair storm damage to Bute鈥檚 sea wall and the final phase of the plan to replace all streetlights across the region with energy efficient LEDs.
A report to the committee touched on the scale of demand for investment in Argyll and Bute鈥檚 infrastructure and so the need to attract external funding to the area. Demands on the council鈥檚 Roads & Infrastructure Service alone include maintaining a 2,300km road network, and 10,500km of public footway, running 39 piers and harbours, four ferry services and nearly 15,000 streetlights.
Councillor Andrew Kain, policy lead for roads and transport, said: 鈥淎rgyll and Bute covers a huge geographic area 鈥� the second-largest council area in Scotland and the highest number of inhabited islands. The sheer scale of operations that council teams manage is therefore considerable. This progress report is a reminder of that, and of the importance of additional, external funding for the area.
鈥淥ur roads and infrastructure team is responsible for a vast range of assets and services, crucial to the smooth running of our local communities and to the area鈥檚 economic wellbeing.
鈥淒espite the challenges of the last two years, a great deal has been delivered already in terms of managing, maintaining and improving our key infrastructure. I look forward to seeing progress in these additional projects which will deliver further benefits for residents and visitors to Argyll and Bute.鈥�
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