Tories call for action as Scotland’s roads ‘plagued by potholes’
Scotland's roads are "plagued by potholes", the Tories claimed, as figures show the number of these is five times higher than when the SNP came to power.
There were a total of 20,988 potholes recorded across the country in 2020-21, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.
That is down slightly on the previous year's total of 21,115 but compares to just 3,981 in 2007-08, the year the SNP first formed the government.
The figures were revealed in an answer to a written parliamentary question from the Conservatives.
Tohelpdealwiththeproblem, the Tories demanded ministers to set up a dedicated £200 million Pothole Fund for road maintenanceoverthecourseof this parliamentary term.
Conservative local government spokesman Miles Briggs saidthefigures"revealthestark
declineinthestateofscotland's roads under the SNP".
Mr Briggs said: "Streets all over the country are plagued by potholes. The impact on family finances is substantial, driving up the costs of owning a car. We are calling for a £200 million Pothole Fund over the course of the Parliament so that local areas can take direct action to halt the spiralling condition of our roads under the SNP."
Transport Minister Graeme Dey said the Scottish Government fully funded the inspection and repair of all high-risk “category one” defects on the trunk road network, including vandalism, flooding, spills and potholes, but did not have figures to show the cost of repairing potholes specifically.
He said: “Since 2007, this government has invested £4.35 billion in managing, maintaining, and safely operating the Scottish trunk road and motorway network. In 202122, we will invest £529 million, an increase of £59 million from 2020-21.
“The budget for structural repairs and network strengtheningoftrunkroadsandbridges, including the Forth Road Bridge, is being increased by £46.5 million in 2021-22 to £207 million. The budget for routine and winter maintenance of trunk roads is being increased by £12.5 million to £106.9 million.
“We will continue to invest in our extensive trunk road maintenance and operations programmes, to improve Scotland’s road network.”