Scottish Government should prioritise the repair of the existing road network over building new roads, the majority of respondents to a survey carried out by campaign group Transform Scotland have said.

Transform Scotland said bringing the road network into good repair would reduce local air pollution through less stop/start traffic and save local authorities money currently being paid out as compensation for pothole damage to vehicles.

The group has launched a new campaign called ‘Fix It First’ this week after 84% of respondents to the survey agreed that building new roads was less important than fixing the existing network.

Chair of Transform Scotland Phil Matthews said: “Scotland’s existing roads, cycle paths and pavements are in an increasingly poor state of repair. Markings are deteriorating, pavements are damaged, and potholes are all too common.”

The cost of getting Scotland’s road network into good repair stands at £2.25Bn according to Audit Scotland. Meanwhile the Scottish Government has committed to spending of around £9Bn on new roads.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Through Transport Scotland we have invested around £2.6Bn since 2007 to ensure the roads for which we are responsible – some 6% of the total road network in Scotland – is safe, efficient and well managed.

“The remaining 94% of roads in Scotland are the responsibility of local government who are receiving a record share of the public purse to invest in their own roads.”

But Mr Matthews said: “There has been an ongoing failure to tackle the road maintenance backlog. It's time the Scottish Government stepped in to fund these repairs and maintenance.”

(Photo: Alastair Lloyd)

To return to the newsletter, please close this window.