Councillors from opposite sides of the political divide have united in campaigning for national government support for Argyll and Bute.
With recent extreme weather disrupting communities across Scotland, councillors are lobbying for the area to get support after the ‘unprecedented’ storms of October 7.
Four roads in Argyll and Bute are still closed following landslides and damage to bridges.
This week Robin Currie, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, and opposition leader Jim Lynch (SNP) issued a joint statement calling for investment from national government.
Cllr Currie said: “We want what our communities want – to move on as quickly as possible from the impacts of recent weather.
“We have made a lot of progress quickly, but there’s more work to be done in what can be very difficult circumstances.
“Our local communities need a resilient road network. The wider national economy needs Argyll and Bute to remain open for business.
“To deliver local and national benefit, Argyll and Bute needs local and national support
“We will do all we can as a local council. The area also needs national support.”
The council is already working to bring some Scottish Government funding to Argyll and Bute through the Bellwin scheme, which provides some support for some costs incurred in a crisis response.
The scheme, though, does not cover all council costs, or support for communities and businesses who are affected.
Cllr Lynch added: “Argyll and Bute is home for many of us.
“It’s also a vital contributor to the economy and prosperity of the West of Scotland and beyond, as a driver for tourism, food and drink and other key business sectors.
“Investing in Argyll and Bute’s resilience therefore serves local and national interests.
“We will promote the area’s unique case for national government investment, to help communities affected, and the area as a whole, to move on.”
The A816 is still closed and is not expcted to reopen until next month.
A temporary bridge for the B836 in Glen Lean is due on November 24.
On the C30 West Loch Awe road, work is progressing on rock infill while designing long term solution, while on the B828 at Glen Mhor work is ongoing to stabilise the embankment which supports the road.
For details of roads and bridges that have reopened, and work which is still ongoing, go to the council’s website.
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