Anger over Highland roads repair backlog as freedom of information request details Scotland-wide £1.7 billion backlog
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Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of letting Scotland’s roads crumble as new figures reveal the repair backlog is approaching £2 billion.
Information obtained through Freedom of Information questions has revealed that it would take almost £1.7 billion to get Scotland’s local roads up to scratch – excluding six major council areas who didn’t provide the relevant information.
It comes as the SNP-Green government passes a budget inflicting a fresh round of cuts on local budgets, likely driving the roads into an "even more dire state of disrepair," say critics.
Scottish Labour Transport spokesperson Neil Bibby said: “These astonishing figures lay bare the dire state of disrepair Scotland’s roads are in after years of neglect under the SNP.
“They have cut funding to the bone, leaving roads to crumble and taxpayers to pick up the bill.
“Our pothole-ridden roads are a daily reminder of how badly the SNP have let down communities all around us.
“Now the Greens and the SNP have teamed up to hit councils with another year of brutal cuts things are only set to get worse.
“The SNP must stop burying their heads in the sand about this and show some leadership dealing with the mess they created.”
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Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, said: “These figures are utterly astounding.
“The combined total for the Highlands and Islands is almost half a billion pounds (£417,611,000).
“Rural areas in general have been worst affected with Highland roads alone requiring almost £200million of repairs (£194,827,000).
“Communities have been crying out for help but their voices have gone unheard by the Scottish Government. They now need to stop blaming others and properly support local authorities to get these repairs done before someone gets hurt travelling on roads that are not fit for purpose.”
