Road rage has driven a councillor to blast Renfrewshire Council over an “astonishing delay” to paint white lines on the A761 Brookfield to Bridge of Weir road.
Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank councillor James MacLaren has been demanding the local authority paint new white lines on the crucial route for more than a year but to no avail.
He was told that the lines were set to be painted by Friday, September 23 which was the deadline given by the council to the contractor.
However, that deadline failed to be met with the council citing poor weather.
Councillor MacLaren suspects now that the white lines might not be done until the spring which, he says, will put motorists in danger during the winter period.
He says the contractor must be penalised for missing this deadline and that the council have a duty to provide an “urgent explanation” to his constituents as to why this work has still not been done; and is set to be delayed further.
Conservative Councillor MacLaren said: “It is utterly astonishing that this work has still not been carried out.
“I’ve been asking the council to paint these white lines on the crucial A761 for more than a year and I’m so annoyed and utterly frustrated.
“Alongside constituents I was told that the deadline for this was September 23 but this has been and gone, yet the contractor has avoided punishment so far. This route is vital for our local communities and these white lines are desperately needing upgraded.
“Motorists will once again be at risk during the winter period, with the poor weather and completely missing and faded lines.
“I am a total loss now but I will keep fighting for these lines to be painted as a matter of urgency and for the council to stop dithering on carrying out this basic measure of safety.”
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “We take road safety very seriously and share Councillor MacLaren’s view of how important it is to refurbish the road markings and cats’ eyes on the A761.
“We regret that the weather conditions have not allowed the markings to be applied by the quoted deadline.
“Penalties are not imposed on contractors for circumstances beyond their control, such as the weather, but we are working to make sure the work is done before winter.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here
