Causeways

After the fatal storms of over two years ago we were promised action to replace and renew the causeways and improve the situation for the people of Uist.

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!

There is no sign of anything happening, and although the money has been promised (repeatedly, and ad infinitum) and we have been promised that the work is starting, we are now too far into the year for the work to be done before next year at the earliest.

Having driven across these causeways a lot over the past week, the state of most of them is appalling and urgent action is required before they are destroyed in the coming winter storms. Many of the causeways still have substandard (or non-existent) edging which is dangerous and far from attractive for visitors.

Of particular concern is the Gramsdale to Grimsay section where, I understand, lorries are experiencing difficult under-wheel conditions, and hauliers are concerned about the causeways deteriorating rapidly before next year.

But, the big trick is still being missed. These causeways should also be tidal barriers, harnessing the massive and strong currents to gerneate electricity on the islands. The previous Scottish Executive refused to countenance this possibility. New Executive, new thinking?

Time for a quick win, if our MP and MSP are prepared to lobby for this. There's the challenge. It shouldn't affect the timescales, but will cost more, in the short-term. Or were the promises of sustainability only for election purposes?