Money spent on pothole repairs down by £500k over five years

Perth and Kinross Council under fire over cut in maintenance

The amount of money being spent on repairing potholes across Perth and Kinross has decreased by almost £500,000, over a five-year period.

The number of potholes being fixed by the council has also reduced during the same period of time, and the council administration has come under fire from opposition members over the current state of the roads.

In the financial year 2014-15, 17,527 potholes were repaired, at a cost of £1,241,116.

However in 2018-19, a total of 9,932 potholes had been repaired, costing

£761,042.

A council spokesperson said: “In 2018-19 we moved to a first-time permanent repair approach to potholes.

“In the first year, we completed 84% against a target of achieving this for 80% of all repairs.

“These figures demonstrate the success of this approach and has led to a reduction in the number of potholes being reported to the council.”

Councillors in opposition parties have expressed their concerns over existing potholes across Perth and Kinross.

Leader of the SNP group, Grant Laing, took to social media to highlight pothole issues in areas including Blairgowrie, Meikleour and Spittalfield.

In his Twitter post, Councillor Laing dubbed environment and infrastructure committee convener Angus Forbes “Lord Forbes of the Pothole”.

He later said: “I am concerned that he is trapped in one of his potholes”.

Mr Laing’s stance was echoed by fellow SNP councillor Andrew Parrot of the Perth City Centre ward, who said: “Now, of course, potholes can only be fixed if they are there to be fixed but the state of our roads now suggests that there is no shortage... to be fixed.”

Mr Forbes said: “I am delighted at the progress we are making.”

Picture: Kenny Smith. A pothole in Edinburgh Road, Perth.