Highlands and Islands MSP, Donald Cameron, has welcomed the award of £1.7m from the Scottish Timber Transport Fund to help Argyll and Bute’s road network.

Mr Cameron said: “The fact that Argyll and Bute will receive as much as £1.7m from a £6.6m fund is welcome, and a recognition that here in Argyll & Bute we have an extensive road network that very badly needs all the money it can get.

“However I fear it will, at best, only mitigate the impact of increasing traffic volumes in the region which are now seriously affecting a number of local communities.

“The SNP Government must deliver a detailed plan for maintaining road infrastructure to give local residents the confidence they need that travelling conditions will not continue to deteriorate. We cannot expect the local authorities in the region to address this issue without support from central government.”

Councillor Alastair Redman, (Kintyre and the Islands Ward), a resident of Islay, also welcomed the news.

He said: “This extra funding, added to what Argyll and Bute Council is spending, means that £2.7m will be spent on timber roads. I am particularly pleased that some of that money will be coming to Islay where it is very badly needed indeed.”