SIC admits communication mistakes

SHETLAND Islands Council has agreed to improve its communications strategy for major road closures following an outcry from a community in the north mainland.

Residents in Vidlin only learned last week that the only road connecting the village with the outside world is to be closed for two weeks during working hours as of Monday (10 October) to allow the local authority to carry out essential maintenance.

A notice displayed at the local shop set the alarm bells ringing as no previous warning of the major disruption had been given.

The closure of the single-track road will not only inconvenience local residents commuting to and from work, it will also disrupt services such as Royal Mail and community care.

The B9071 will be closed over a two kilometre stretch between Laxo and Skelberry between 9am and 1pm and again from 1.30 to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays.

The council’s roads department had initially expressed surprise at the strength of the feeling but has meanwhile accepted that communication of the road closures could have been better.

Resident Helen Erwood has been in regular contact with the roads department and has compiled a document that helps answering the most pressing questions.

She has also written an open letter to the three north mainland councillors urging them to ensure that a community will not again be treated “with the same patronising contempt”.

Councillor Alastair Cooper responded saying local people and businesses had every reason to be annoyed at the late advice.

“The communication programme set out by Dr. Erwood is robust and not onerous and I would support her proposal. The current system does not deliver,” he said