§ 63. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the dangerous state of the Loch Clash Lairg Road following on forestry and fishing industry development; and why the request of Sutherland County Council, either to raise the road to trunk status or make a grant to cover the cost of repairs, has been refused.
Mr. BraithwaiteI am advised that the condition of this road cannot properly be described as dangerous. At the beginning of this financial year the Sutherland County Council received a grant allocation which fully covered all their estimated requirements for the maintenance and repair of their roads and they have recently been offered an addition of120W £8,000 to this general allocation, which it is for them as responsible highway authority, to distribute according to priority of need. My right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be appropriate to raise this road to trunk road status.