Trunk Roads
Who Handles It?: BEAR Scotland
manages the major trunk roads on behalf of Transport Scotland. These are key routes that connect larger towns and cities, used for higher volumes of traffic. Key trunk roads in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute include:
- A82 – From Glasgow, along Loch Lomond, through Crianlarich, towards Fort William.
- A83 – From Tarbet to Campbeltown, passing Inveraray and the Rest and Be Thankful pass.
- A85 – From Oban to Lochearnhead, connecting to the A82.
- A828 – Connecting Connel to Ballachulish, across the Connel Bridge.
Contact Details
For issues like resurfacing, flooding, major repairs, or winter maintenance on these roads, contact BEAR Scotland
- Website:
- Phone: 01738 448 600.
How to Know Which Authority Manages a Road
- Local roads (smaller, non-trunk routes) are managed by ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute Council. To log a fault on a non-trunk road report a road fault.
- Major A-roads (trunk roads) are managed by BEAR Scotland on behalf of .
Water Supply & Sewage
Who Handles It?: Scottish Water
- Manages drinking water and wastewater services across Scotland.
- For issues with water supply, sewage, or drainage, contact Scottish Water.
Contact Details
Website:
Phone: 0800 0778 778
Gas and Electricity
Who Handles It?: several gas and electricity companies cover different aspects of energy supply and distribution. Here’s a breakdown of the key companies involved:
Electricity Distribution Network Operators (Responsible for the physical delivery of electricity): These companies own and manage the physical infrastructure (power lines, substations, etc.) that delivers electricity to homes and businesses:
Gas Distribution Network Operators: These companies are responsible for delivering natural gas to homes and businesses in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute.
In some cases, there may be overlap between suppliers and distributors, depending on the exact location. If you're uncertain which company serves your specific area for supply or distribution, it's always a good idea to contact the respective providers or consult your energy bill for more detailed information.
Fire ߣsirÊÓƵ
Who Handles It?: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Provides fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue services across Scotland.
- For emergencies, dial 999. For non-emergencies, you can contact them for advice and fire safety checks.
Contact Details
Website:
Phone: 0800 0731 999
Police
Who Handles It?: Police Scotland
- Responsible for law enforcement, maintaining order, preventing crime, and handling emergencies.
- For general police inquiries or to report a crime, contact Police Scotland.
Contact Details:
Website:
Non-Emergency Phone: 101
Emergency Phone: 999
Speeding Fines & Police Fines
Who Handles It?: Sheriff Clerk
- Handles fines and legal procedures related to police fines.
- For queries or payment of fines, contact the Sheriff Clerk or visit the Scottish Courts website.
Contact Details:
Website:
Phone: 0131 444 3300
Public Transport
Public transport services, including bus and rail operations and infrastructure in Scotland.
Rail
ScotRail is the primary train service provider in Scotland, responsible for operating the majority of the country’s local and long-distance rail services. They manage ticketing, schedules, and rail infrastructure for passengers, providing both commuter services and leisure travel options.
Website:
Buses
Bus services provide essential connections between local towns, rural areas, and major cities. For information on timetables, fares, and travel updates, see the relevant providers website:
Over-60s Bus Pass
You can get a free bus pass if you’re aged 60 or over and live in Scotland. Your National Entitlement Card (NEC) will be your bus pass. You can apply:
- through your local Post Office – if you live in an area where it offers this service
- through – if you live in one of the 12 local councils in the Glasgow and Strathclyde area
Ferries
Ferry services in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute are a vital part of the region’s transport network, connecting the mainland with numerous islands. For information on timetables, fares, and travel updates, see the relevant providers website:
ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute operate four ferry routes. For information on timetables see:
- Ellenabeich - Easdale Ferry
- Isle of Luing - Isle of Seil Ferry
- Port Appin - Point (Lismore) Ferry
- Port Askaig (Islay) - Feolin (Jura) Ferry
Air
Regional air services are vital for connecting ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute with the rest of Scotland and beyond, especially for those looking to travel to more remote areas or islands. For information on timetables, fares, and travel updates, see the relevant providers website:
- is owned by ߣsirÊÓƵ & Bute Council, and is a vital social and business hub for the area. offer several connections each week to the Isles.
Vehicle Registration & Road Tax
Who Handles It?: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- Manages vehicle registration, road tax, and driver licensing in the UK.
- For vehicle registration, changes of address, road tax, or driving license queries, visit the DVLA.
Contact Details
Website:
Phone: 0300 790 6801
Consumer advice
- is Scotland’s largest digital advice agency, providing free and independent advice to the citizens of Scotland.
- is a charity that provides advice on various topics such as benefits, work, debt, housing, consumer rights and more.
Non-Council Benefits
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
DWP provides a range of benefits to support individuals in various circumstances including:
- State pension
- Universal Credit
- Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit
- Pension Credit
Website:
Social Security Scotland
Social Security Scotland is responsible for delivering a range of devolved benefits in Scotland, including:
- Best Start Grants
- Adult Disability Payment / Child Disability Payment / Pension Age Disability Payment
- Carers Allowance Supplement
- Young Carer Grant
- Carer Support Payment
- Winter Heating Payment / Child Winter Heating Payment
- Funeral Support Payment
- Job Start Payment
Website:
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute provides Housing Benefits and Council Tax Reduction
Housing Associations and Renting Non-Council Spaces
There are 11 housing associations which have housing in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute. Four of these associations operate only or mainly in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute, and are members of the ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute Common Housing Register. This means that they are working jointly to make it easier for people to apply for housing in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute:
To apply for housing, see the .
Other housing associations in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute:
Repairs
For repairs, please see the relevant Housing Association Website listed above.
Housing Association Complaints
Who Handles It?: Relevant Housing Associations
- Handles complaints regarding their own housing association, such as not making timely repairs
- Start with the housing association's complaints procedure and escalate if needed to the Scottish Housing Regulator.
Website:
Renting Non-Council Spaces
Shops, garages and spaces not owned by the council would be advertised on various property sites.
Council spaces are advertised on .
Live ߣsirÊÓƵ
are now responsible for various services previously operated by ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute Council including:
Higher Education & Student Finance
Who Handles It?: Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Provides student financial support and grants for higher education in Scotland.
- For student funding, tuition fees, and financial aid, visit SAAS.
Contact Details
Website:
Phone: 0300 555 0505
Land Ownership & Boundaries
Who Handles It?: Registers of Scotland
- Manages land registration, property boundaries, and ownership records.
- For land registration queries, use the official Registers of Scotland service.
Contact Details:
Website:
Phone: 0800 169 9391
Registering to Vote and Council Tax Bandings
Who Handles It?: Scottish Assessors Association
- Manages voter registration and electoral processes in Scotland.
- For voter registration and electoral queries, contact the Scottish Assessors Association.
- The Scottish Assessors set the council tax bandings for each property and should be contacted for any questions about the banding of your property.
Website:
Business Improvement Grants
Who Handles It?: Local BIDs
- Provides funding and support for local business improvement projects.
- Contact your local BIDS team for information on grants and support.
Local BIDs
Funeral ߣsirÊÓƵ & Book of Remembrance
Who Handles It?: Funeral Directors
- Arranges funeral services and memorial records.
- For funeral planning, view the Book of Remembrance, or funeral-related inquiries, contact your local funeral director.
Contact Details
- Local funeral directors for services.
- Contact Cardross Crematorium for the Book of Remembrance.
Excessive Barking Dogs
Who Handles It?: Civil Matter – Justice of the Peace (JP) Court
Talk to the owner - You could informally speak to the dog owner about the issue. They may not know there is a barking problem as it may only happen at certain times, for example, if the owner is out.
- If a dog is causing a nuisance, it is a civil issue that can be taken to the Justice of the Peace Court if you are unable to talk to the owner.
- Any individual affected by excessive dog barking can make an application to the Justice of the Peace (JP) Court for an order to be made. JP Court Application and Guidance.
Community Groups
Who Handles It?: ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute Community Directory
It comprises of thousands of charities and volunteer organisations that serve their local communities.
- Provides information on local community groups and organizations.
- For support with community groups or initiatives, visit the directory.
Website:
Planning in National Park Areas
Who Handles It?: National Park Authorities
- Oversees planning in areas like Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
- For planning permission or inquiries within national parks, contact the relevant authority.
Website:
Immigration & Visas
Who Handles It?: Home Office
- Manages immigration, visa applications, and asylum requests in the UK.
- For visa applications or immigration concerns, please visit the Home Office.
Website: