Road resurfacing work across East and South Ayrshire has been brought to a halt as spiralling costs have seen the entire budget blown in just over six months.
But roads chiefs have insisted that they will ensure no roads are left in a dangerous condition after councillors raised concerns.
Just under a half of East Ayrshire's 2022/23 road resurfacing programme has been completed, while a third of South Ayrshire Council's two-year resurfacing programme for 2022/24 has been completed.
The annual budget for East Ayrshire's road resurfacing was £5.125m, while South Ayrshire's was £3.5m. Ayrshire Roads Alliance maintains roads for both councils.
ARA head Kevin Braidwood reported to the Ayrshire Shared Services Committee: "Due to the increase in road materials, fuel and the withdrawal of fuel relief for red diesel, a review of spend has been carried out."
Mr Braidwood said that there were two options. Either return to work in the new year, using money 'stolen' from the 2023/24 budget, or suspend the work until the start of the new financial year.
The financial situation had not been helped by the failure to secure Timber Transport fund money.
Girvan Independent councillor Alec Clark raised his concerns that this could be more than an inconvenience.
He said: "The problem with rescheduling resurfacing in some areas is that it is a danger to traffic and human life."
Mr Braidwood insisted: "We will continue to monitor all of these roads and carry out safety repairs where necessary."
Cllr Clark responded: "If we had a crystal ball to see what inflation would be that would be fine."
South Ayrshire councillor Ian Davis asked: "Is this because the whole capital budget for road resurfacing over this financial year has been spent and that is why it has to be suspended?
"Or is this just an indication that it needs to be completely reassessed to priorities some projects over others?
East Ayrshire SNP councillor Neil Ingram also asked for clarification on works already underway.
He said: "On the resurfacing that has already started, would that be completed. Is it just projects that haven't started yet?"
Mr Braidwood responded: "The capital budget in both authorities has been expended for resurfacing that is why had to suspend. Don't really want to take it out of next year's budget and I need to have discussion with colleagues in finance in both authorities.
"Surfacing that has commenced will be completed. Just won't open up any more projects at the present time.
South Ayrshire SNP member William Grant also had concerns about safety and suggested signage for roads that were on the programme but are now being postponed.
He said: "I think my concern is that constituents of East and South Ayrshire really need to know what is going on.
"In four or five months of rain and cold, roads will deteriorate really badly. Can I ask that if the roads are getting to this stage and we are only patching, can we put signage to tell people to slow down because roads aren't in a suitable condition.
Mr Braidwood said he would require to check the legality of such a move, but reiterated his obligations.
He added: "What I would say is, that any road suffering from potholes, surface defects or drainage issues, we will continue to ensure those roads are safe. Our inspection teams will still be out. Our potholing teams will still be out.
Cllr Clark reiterated his opposition: "I'm not happy with suspending work. I understand what we are saying. I would just like to make sure that we note that this is a safety issue apart from anything else.
"If we stop working on roads, we need to let public know if there is a danger on any of the roads. You can't just leave it to its own devices. It could lead to accidents.
East Ayrshire Depute Chief Executive Katie Kelly insisted that both financial risk and the need to maintain a safe road network were taken into account.
She added that using future year's money would have a significant impact on the ongoing programme.
The decision to suspend the carriageway resurfacing programme was approved.
Resurfacing projects put on hold
South Ayrshire
- Ayr - Saltpans Road, Green Street, Ellisland Square, Chapel Park Road.
- Prestwick - Morris Road, Craigie Street
- Maybole - B742, B7023, B7024, C122
- Other - B743 at Mossblown, C37 Auchincruive, Springfield Road, Tarbolton, C74, Macnairston Road, B742 Coylton (various), B744 Annbank (various), U77 Hole Road, A719 Dunure and Maidens, U52 Pinwherry.
East Ayrshire
- Kilmarnock Ellis Street, Howard Street, Seaford Street, Dundonald Road, Witchknowe Road, Meiklewood Road, Shortlees Crescent, Old Street, Kinlock Road, Stoneyhill Avenue, Turner Place, Craufurdland Road, Old Mill Road, Grassyards Road
- Darvel - East Donnington Street, Burn Road, Campbell Street, Patterson Terrace.
- Mauchline - Hughfield Road, Carrick View, Beechwood Road, Jean Armour Drive.
-
Stewarton - Fleming Drive, Lothian Road, Victoria Way, Cutsburn Road
Irvine Road, Kilmaurs - Other A71 Darvel, A735, B743 Muirkirk, C134, U760, U26 Dunlop, Mansefield Road, New Cumnock, Blaney Avenue Patna, Crougar Road, Meadowside, Crookedholm, High Street, Newmilns, Newmill Road, Dunlop, Middlefield Drive, Muirkirk.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
