Local residents campaign for urgent repairs

The high tide of March 22nd delivered another reminder of the very real risks that rising sea levels bring for our low-lying coastal communities.

Across the islands, bridges and causeways were flooded as high winds added to difficult driving conditions.

In Baleshare, the early morning commute was pretty much impossible, with the causeway connecting the island to North Uist sitting well below the level of the sea. Although debris was cleared soon after, the road remained in a dangerous state for days.

The 350 metre causeway was built in 1962 and residents say the work was never properly completed. A spokesperson for the Baleshare causeway campaign group told Am Pàipear:

“The causeway was built quickly and without much planning. At the time of construction, a culvert arrived on site but was never actually installed, and to this day there is clear evidence that water is just not getting through quickly enough.

“We believe our causeway is the only one in Uist not to have been upgraded. In around 2000, some rocks were placed down one side but many of these have now slipped, leaving large parts of the causeway exposed. The big storm of 2005 had a significant impact on the structure of the causeway, but no repairs have been carried out.”

“Essential carers can’t get to clients who are very much in need of their services. Kids can’t get to school. Police, ambulance and fire services can’t get down. Anyone with a job to go to cannot get to work, and that includes essential home care, NHS, nursery and council staff, impacting not only the Baleshare residents, but also the wider community. Crofters can’t get down to feed livestock. The self employed residents on Baleshare cannot get to work, effectively resulting in a loss of earnings.”

Hopes for an upgrade to the causeway have been dashed following Scottish Government’s rejection of the Comhairle’s Levelling Up Fund bid, which included £8.2m earmarked for the project.

The Comhairle say that financial pressures have made it difficult to stretch budgets to cover what they agree are essential works. They say that the current five year allocation for all transport and infrastructure capital works is £25m; 15 years ago, that figure was around £100m for the same five year period.

Alasdair Allan MSP told Am Pàipear: “While all budgets are of course under extreme pressure at present, it should be noted that the last time any maintenance work was carried out on the Baleshare causeway was in 2000. None of the £100m allocated to the Comhairle in general capital funding over the past 15 years, for example, has been spent on repairs or improvements to this vital infrastructure link. It is now imperative that appropriate resources are identified and directed to urgently address the safety concerns that have been highlighted.”

Residents will be meeting with elected members in April.

In its December issue, Am Pàipear highlighted the risk flooding presents for Uist and the process by which that risk is managed.

The Comhairle’s Flood Risk Management Plan is available to view on their website.