Anger over Highland road repair backlog as Freedom of Information request details £1.7billion Scotland-wide backlog
Scottish Labor has accused the SNP of letting Scottish roads crumble as new figures reveal the repair backlog is approaching £2billion.
Information obtained through freedom of information queries revealed that it would take almost £1.7billion to upgrade Scotland’s local roads – excluding six large council areas which have not not provided relevant information.
It comes as the SNP-Green government passes a budget inflicting another round of cuts to local budgets, likely dragging roads into an “even worse state of disrepair”, critics say.
Scottish Labor Transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: “These stunning figures lay bare the dilapidated state of Scottish roads after years of neglect under the SNP.
“They cut funding to the bone, leaving the roads to crumble and the taxpayers to foot the bill.
“Our pothole-riddled roads are a daily reminder of how the SNP has failed communities all around us.
“Now the Greens and the SNP have teamed up to hit the councils with another year of brutal cuts things will only get worse.
“The SNP needs to stop sticking its head in the sand on this and show some leadership on the mess it has created.”
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Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labor MSP, said: “These numbers are quite staggering.
“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 roads in the Highlands alone requiring almost £200million (£194,827,000) in repairs.
“Communities cried out for help, but their voices went unheard by the Scottish Government. Now they need to stop blaming others and properly help local authorities make these repairs before someone gets injured traveling on roads that are not fit for purpose.