 The money is additional to that provided for essential repairs |
Part of the Western Isles is to receive funding to improve storm escape routes following the death of a family-of-five last year. Finance Minister Tom McCabe has approved �432,000 to be spent on road improvements in South Uist.
The area was badly damaged by storms which claimed the lives of five members of the same family in 2005.
The money will be used to make non public routes safe for use in emergency situations such as heavy storms.
The funding is additional to the money provided for essential repairs to other roads and causeways.
Angus Campbell, vice-convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), said the decision was "good news" for the area.
"It has been a long and hard task to get here but I am delighted that the effort put in has paid off," he said.
"We were determined to pursue this matter but we had to build the arguments, then gather and present the evidence to persuade the Scottish Executive of the validity of our case."
Family tragedy
In January last year Archie and Murdina MacPherson, their children, Andrew, seven, and Hannah, five, and Mrs MacPherson's father Calum Campbell, 67, died while fleeing their home on South Uist during a heavy storm.
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Morrison said: "I am delighted that this financial package has been approved.
"It will bring a great deal of reassurance to those in South Uist whose memories of the tragic circumstances of January 2005 are all too vivid."
 |  People are pleased at this victory but are, of course, questioning the length of time it took the executive to get this money together |
A spokesman for Mr McCabe said: "Tom McCabe has been speaking to the council and Alistair Morrison and I am happy to confirm this funding for road works."
Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) Scottish National Party MP Angus MacNeil welcomed the funding.
He said: "I'm in the Uists today and the people are pleased at this victory but are, of course, questioning the length of time it took the executive to get this money together.
"Now we have to ensure that the money is spent where local people see the greatest need."
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