COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to recruit more roads inspectors to tackle Renfrewshire’s pothole epidemic.

Independent councillor Andy Doig has highlighted the “dire need” for action to improve roads and has also asked for more investment in the area’s villages.

The former SNP man has drawn up a four-point plan to create a ‘Powerhouse Renfrewshire’ ahead of the council’s budget meeting on Thursday, March 1.

His proposals include a call for more support for small businesses and the introduction of a community bus service, under council control.

Councillor Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, told The Gazette: “In the run-up to the forthcoming council budget meeting, I have written to party group leaders and asked them to lay aside party dogma and look at my key proposals to build a Powerhouse Renfrewshire.

“My four-point plan is a basis for discussion which I would like all political groups in the council to consider.

“The first point is concerning the dire need for action on road repairs, so the council can employ more roads inspectors.

“There is a desperate gap in quality control on road repairs and this has to be resolved.

“The second point is for more investment for our village and rural communities. Approximately 20,000 Renfrewshire residents live in our villages, which need crucial investment.

“My third point concerns more support for small businesses, as that is key to rejuvenating our town centre economies, and my fourth point is about looking at a community bus service under council control to boost connectivity.”

Last month, The Gazette told how some potholes in Renfrewshire were so bad that electrical cables could be seen peeking out from far underground.

Cllr Doig said: “I am offering the hand of friendship to all party political groups as we are now in a rare position in Renfrewshire as a council of minorities.”

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said the local authority is committed to delivering increased support to all communities in the area.

He added: “We have plans in place to approve significant funds to bring our roads up to an acceptable standard. There are significant road repair works going on at the moment.

“Councillor Doig appears oblivious to the fact that small businesses already benefit from the Small Business Bonus Scheme introduced and operated by the SNP Scottish Government at Holyrood. This and other schemes already can reduce business rates across all of Renfrewshire.

“He presents a list of what he thinks are spending priorities but he offers no alternative proposals of where he would axe services to pay for them. His proposals, if approved, could only mean cuts to other vital budgets – for example, budgets for our local area committees, which many rural areas and villages rely upon.

“He needs to come clean and tell us where his cuts are coming from. You can’t spend the same pound twice – a concept he clearly fails to grasp.”