The actual 2024/25 capital roads budget allocation for Nairnshire is still to be finalised.

The estimated area capital roads programme is currently based on previous years’ baseline £7.2m Highland Area Roads capital budget allocation. Therefore, the estimated local allocation for the Nairnshire area is £275,000. Should the approved 2024/25 budget differ from previous budgets then the programme will be adjusted appropriately.

Members endorsed the programme as presented to Area Committee, with some of the following proposals:

• Surface dressing works on the B9007, West of Ferness junction to Moray boundary.
• Surface dressing works on the C1159, Lochloy road.
• Surfacing works on the A939, A96 junction to B9007 junction.

Chair of the Nairnshire Area Committee, Michael Green, said: “I am pleased that a programme of works to improve roads in the area were agreed at today’s meeting. I would like to commend the hard work of our Area Roads team on maintaining our roads network during these challenging financial times.”

As Black Isle and Easter Ross has a total of 44% of the road length in the former Ross and Cromarty area, this capital programme is based on 44% of the 2023/24 Ross and Cromarty Area Capital budget, less project design unit costs. Adjusting for accelerated spend, this amounts to £871,073.

Chair of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee, Cllr Lyndsey Johnston, said: “The Committee is delighted that these priority routes will be progressed, and I would like to commend the hard work of our Area Roads team on maintaining our roads network during not only these challenging financial times, but also in light of the severe weather which has such a negative impact on our roads.”

The priority routes approved by members include:

• U1991 – surface dressing at the bottom section of the Glenglass Road, Evanton
• C1012 – surface dressing at various sites on Saltburn Road, Invergordon
• C1004 – surface dressing from Fendom Road, Tain to Fendom Junction
• C1012 – overlay at two sections at the bottom of Scotsburn Road, Tain
• U2524 – overlay on the Carse of Raddery Road, Fortrose, Phase 1
• U2585 – patching work on the Tore to Belmaduthy Road
• U2596 & U2599 – surface dresssing at Drumsmittal
• Should extra funding be awarded there are a number of other roads in this year’s plan including:
• C1023 – patching on the Dingwall to Evanton back road
• U1953 – patching at Kendal Crescent, Alness
• U2013 – regulate and overlay at Foulis Station Road, Ardullie.