In a letter to HALL dated 12 May, Eileen McCartin claims that the new administration has put extra money into the budget to make Renfrewshire's roads safe and secure for at least 15 - 20 years (sic).  [click here]

 HALL responded:

"We understand that the current £200,000 campaign is intended to address 6000 potholes.  Frankly, 6000 potholes shouldn’t have been allowed to happen by any administration.  In the interests of public safety they should have been attended to within a reasonably practicable time.   

There is broad agreement that too little has been spent on our roads by previous administrations.  However, you have now been in power for twelve months and the winter damage you refer to occurred on your watch.  You cannot say that it was exceptional and also blame the previous administration.  Our members and the public will be pleased to hear that you are confident that your administration has now budgeted adequate revenue and capital funding to allow Renfrewshire’s roads to be safe and secure for at least 15 years. 

In the meantime there is much work to be done in Houston to achieve that aspiration.  For example the Old Bridge of Weir Road by Gryffe High School is in an unsafe state of disrepair.  There are many other examples in what can be referred to as Gryffe Valley.  Wetrust that the current administration has instigated a rapid programme of repair and will then take measures to prevent a reoccurrence of damage next winter."

 We think that the Depute Leader is very brave to make this statement - in future is you see a pothoe email her immediately This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it