The roads infrastructure on the isle of Mull is to receive a £1 million facelift.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed to spend nearly half of the capital funding allocation for Oban Lorn and the Isles on the island.
The roads, which are under pressure with heavy traffic generated by increased visitor numbers as a result of RET (Road Equivalent Tariff), will receive surface dressing to protect them from cracking and crumbling.
As part of the council’s roads capital reconstruction programme, the Mull roads will receive a £963,000 cash boost in 2019/20. Footways will benefit from a further £38,250 of investment.
Routes to benefit include: the A849, the C50 Iona Roads and Craignure Footway.
Councillor Roddy McCuish, Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, said: “Mull will benefit from nearly half of the capital allocation for Oban, Lorn and the Isles. Work will mainly consist of surface dressing and overlay programmes.
“This approach to roads maintenance has been successful in recent years making Argyll and Bute one of the top five fastest improving Scottish Local Authorities in terms of road condition.
“By sealing our carriageways we can stop water penetrating the surface, improve ride quality and reduce the amount of reactive repairs.”
Councillor Mary Jean Devon, who lives at Tobermory on Mull, said: “I am absolutely delighted. These roads are badly needing done, especially at Lochbuie and at Ulva ferry which is on the Torloisk road. They are going to be spending a lot on Mull.
“This will make a big difference. I’m especially pleased to see the single track A849 Pennyghael to Bunessan being resurfaced. It is the main route to Iona so it is very busy with tourists.”
Billy McClymont, chairman of Mull Community Council, added: “It’s fantastic news. The Mull infrastructure is very poor.
“With RET (Road Equivalent Tariff) there are a lot more people about and we really need a cash injection into the existing facilities, fixing what we have got.”
As the island prepares for the busy tourist season, visitors will be advised how to drive on single track roads – before they even reach land.
When motorists drive onto the ferry at Oban, they will be handed a leaflet to help them understand the etiquette of driving on Mull’s roads.
