A Road Structural Maintenance Programme for Sutherland has been approved by the Highland Council's Sutherland County Committee.

Up to £2.2 million is available for road maintenance activities in the county in 2018/19, £1m of which is allocated for winter maintenance with a further £1m as a capital budget for the same period.

Prioritised schemes include:

• Pothole repairs across the county

• Over 50 surfacing projects including the A837 at Lyne Straight by Ledmore and a section of the Linside – Invernauld route at Rosehall

• Over 26 surface dressing projects on A, B, C and U classified roads across the area including the A836 from Struie Junction to Easter Fearn and the C1134 at Balnakeil

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The schemes included have been selected on the basis of need follow safety and service inspections, input from Ward Members and data from the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey.

Committee Chair Cllr Linda Munro said: "Storm Caroline hit us early in December and then the rest of winter was a combination of heavy falls of snow, prolonged periods of icy conditions, rising temperatures followed by heavy rainfall and then sudden drops in temperatures and further snowfall.

"This freeze/thaw cycle has had a serious effect on the deterioration of our roads and there continues to be a huge demand on our limited resources. As a committee we realise the vital role local roads play to our communities, especially our rural communities, which is why I am pleased that the decision to prioritise the maintenance work made today means we now have a clear plan taking us forward so work can start right away."

(LM/MH)