Plans to restore a Moray village’s ramshackle road network are gathering pace.
Residents in Newmill, outside Keith, claim its pothole-riddled roads have made their lives miserable – but say they have been unable to contact the landowners responsible for their upkeep.
The dilapidated routes belong to Newmill Estates, but the absentee landlord is believed to reside in New Zealand.
This week Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and Keith and Cullen councillor Gary Coull met about 100 residents who had packed into the village hall to speak out on the dispute.
The pair pledged to find a resolution to Newmill’s pothole problem, either by taking the landowners to task or by sourcing means of funding to have repairs performed.
Mr Lochhead said: “It is abundantly clear from the turnout at the meeting that those who live in Newmill care deeply about their community and want a greater say on its future.
“There are real concerns about some of the infrastructure within the village, and deep frustration that the roads and lanes people rely on are not being maintained.
“I’ve promised the community that I will take steps to find out more about the landowner, with the aim of holding them to account over the condition of the land.
“I will also be looking into what funding there might be available to allow the community to organise the repair of the roads in the meantime.”
The unadopted roads fall outwith the remit of Moray Council, and unhappy villagers have considered grouping together to purchase them as a community to ensure their refurbishment in the past.
Newmill Community Association last night said the intervention of Mr Lochhead and Mr Coull could pave the way for improved infrastructure.
The group’s Rhona Patterson said: “I’m really glad Mr Lochhead is going to go away and look at options for us.
“This is a long road, but now after this meeting we have taken the first step.”
The ongoing issue will appear on the agenda at the next meeting of the Newmill Community Association, on Monday November 2.
Other issues of unrest include the decaying Glenisla house in the Square and the level of village services operated by the council.