Bogus road repairs probe must be swift

The investigation into accusations that BEAR Scotland has been carrying out bogus roadworks has the potential for far-reaching consequences. If the allegations that the company has been charging the taxpayer for unnecessary work and digging up perfectly good roads are found to have any truth in them then we can expect a major backlash, both in the political sphere and from everyday motorists.

According to Dundee whistle-blowers Sean Reilly and Sean Toshney, practices known as “job creation” at BEAR have been costing the public purse for years.

Transport Scotland’s probe into the claims must now be carried out quickly and effectively so the public know that those in charge of our roads network are not ripping us off.

Potholes are a massive issue, both at a local authority and Scottish Government level, and if any wrongdoing has taken place it is not something that will be allowed to slide off the radar.

Poor road repairs are among the most frequent reader complaints received by this newspaper and, aside from any financial impact, there will be widespread anger if it is found roads are being dug up for no reason.

With tens of millions of pounds spent on the maintenance of Scotland’s trunk roads network every year, any savings that can be found are of paramount importance.

That means it is vital that all work carried out is absolutely necessary, completed as quickly as possible and documented transparently.

At this stage the claims are nothing more than allegations to be investigated, however the progress of the probe will be closely monitored.