AN EXTRA £3million is to be spent on improvements to East Renfrewshire’s crumbling roads network.

The funds will be targeted at unclassified, residential roads which have been been identified as most in need of work.

These include Commercial Road, in Barrhead, Newton Mearns’ Mearns Road, Glasgow Road, in Eaglesham, and Rouken Glen Road, in Thornliebank.

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And as in previous years, the council has taken a number of factors into consideration when prioritising road maintenance.

This includes the condition of the road or pavements and its usage, the number of complaints received from the public and the geographical spread.

However, there are claims from some Barrhead residents that the town isn’t getting its fair share of East Renfrewshire Council’s pot of cash for much-needed pothole repairs.

Rena McGuire BEM, secretary of Barrhead Community Council, said: “I have spoken to a number of drivers who think there is an imbalance. Many areas in Barrhead are currently in need of major repairs.

“With places like Giffnock and Newton Mearns receiving more of the investment, the council’s priorities seem to be misplaced.”

Click HERE to visit an interactive map showing the locations of road improvements in East Renfrewshire

Councillor Paul Aitken, who represents Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor as an Independent, has welcomed the extra £3m investment but believes Barrhead should have been given “a greater share.”

He said: “Barrhead is the area of East Renfrewshire which is facing the challenge of hundreds of new houses and the loss of sections of its greenbelt.

“The town requires appropriate levels of investment in its new and existing roads.

“Yes, the £3million investment in roads across East Renfrewshire is hugely welcome but Barrhead is where the population growth is taking place and a greater share of the council’s road budget should be spent on Barrhead accordingly.”

East Renfrewshire Council’s road network is ranked 27th out of 32 local authorities in Scotland.

This is despite leading the way on the condition of A-class roads and performing higher than the national average for B and C-class roads.

A report to the council’s cabinet revealed that 44 per cent of unclassified roads – which make up 80 per cent of East Renfrewshire’s total network – should be “considered for maintenance treatment.”

“In terms of overall position, it is clear that the considerable achievements on the classified network are being overshadowed by the figures for the unclassified network,” the report adds.

As part of the council’s budget for 2019/20, it was agreed to top up the existing annual roads resurfacing works programme with a further £15m over the next five years.

Councillors approved the works for this year at a meeting on Thursday.

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East Renfrewshire Council leader Tony Buchanan said: “Improving the transport network is a vital part of encouraging economic growth and my fellow councillors and I are acutely aware of the importance which many people place on having well-maintained roads.

“These works will benefit residents but will also support our work to showcase East Renfrewshire as an attractive place to live, work and visit.

“I am delighted this additional funding has been agreed and we can get on with improving East Renfrewshire’s roads infrastructure and tackling the backlog of repairs.”

Barrhead News:

Councillor Alan Lafferty, East Renfrewshire’s environment convener, added: “As is the case with councils across Scotland, the number of roads and pavements requiring repair far outstrips the resources available to carry out the necessary works, so I am thrilled that we are able to further invest in roads across East Renfrewshire.

“It was important that all areas across the authority benefited from this additional fund, so from Eaglesham to Neilston, works will be ongoing throughout this financial year.

“Whether you are a road user or someone who walks along pavements, we have listened to your concerns and, as the works progress, I look forward to seeing the improvements.”