25 August 2011 Last updated at 10:03

Road on Lewis. Pic: Iain MacleanThe comhairle said finding funds to repair roads was a challenge

Making repairs to roads throughout the Western Isles will cost tens of millions of pounds, according to the islands’ council.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has already spent £2m on work this year and has £3m left in its repair budget to cover maintenance over the next three years.

The local authority said it would cost £42m to bring all roads that were in a poor condition up to a decent standard.

Transport committee chairman Donald Manford said funding was a challenge.

He said: “It is a lot of money to be able to find and the roads need continued investment in order to ensure that they are maintained at a useable standard.”

The councillor added: “A lot of the Western Isles roads have not been historically built as proper roads.”

Mr Manford said increased traffic in recent years had put additional pressure on the older routes.

Read the article:
£42m needed to fix island roads