White lines not repainted yet due to SIC cuts
Keegan MurrayLarge stretches of road throughout Shetland have gone without road markings for several weeks owing to budget cuts.
As the council does not have the necessary equipment to perform the task themselves they have to rely on a team of contractors from the mainland.
In the past this team has travelled to the isles twice a year but now can only be brought to the isles once every 12 months because of the costs.
Neil Hutcheson, team leader for the council’s road services department, explained that it was “no longer practical or economic” to bring the team to Shetland twice a year.
Although the council has to rely on the mainland contractors for long distance works they do have the capability to complete “Give Way” markings in the town, and other markings deemed to be of high importance with regards to road safety.
Following the spell of foggy weather over the weekend and at the start of this week a number of residents took to social media to voice their concerns. Dunrossness resident Jim Moran has gone a step further by writing directly to the SIC’s road services department.
In his letter, addressed to road services executive manager Dave Coupe and copied to this newspaper, Mr Moran asks when the “department will be reinstating the white lines.
Roads in a number of areas, including the South Mainland, Girlsta and the Lang Kames have all been without road markings for several weeks.
Mr Moran said that he felt it necessary to write to the council because the lack of white lines on the roads was “a real safety concern.”
• More in today’s Shetland Times.
Steven Jarmson
Very odd situation.
The roads in the south mainland were resurfaced last year and it took around 6 months, maybe more, to paint the lines on, there are new sections that have been resurfaced still waiting for new line to be painted. The roads on the Wast Side have been resurfaced and we’re still waiting for new lines months later. Several sections going north are still waiting for new lines.
Sound school area got completely dig up, proper nice new road out in place and brand new lines painted INSTANTLY.
Is this yet more SIC excuses to give country areas second class service, again!
Allen Fraser
Na, Na, Steven du’s gotten hit wrang.
Da SIC ir no painting white lines in da country as a special safety measure – whin folk dunna see white lines dey ken ta slow doon below da speed limit – bit waar dey döe see white lines dan…..