Scotland’s road network: National review must be prepared to consider substantial change

The Scottish Government has announced a national review of how Scotland's road network is managed and maintained.

This follows Audit Scotland's report last week into the condition of both local and strategic roads.

Jackson Carlaw MSP, Shadow Minister for Transport, said:

"Having lamented the priority given to the state of Scotland's roads since devolution for long enough, Scottish Conservatives welcome a review, however belated and however half-hearted.

"It should not have taken an Audit Scotland Report to prove to the SNP Government what everyone else knew already - many of our roads are fast matching those of an undeveloped country. However, Keith Brown's ritual polemic about independence being the solution is patently risible.

"The SNP have in four years done no better than their predecessors and no review can alter the fact that the SNP Government's response to the emerging crisis is to slash the roads maintenance budget.

"Any review should be prepared to consider a substantial change in the way we manage our roads. Despite being a high priority for motorists and pedestrians alike, local councils have too often diverted essential spending on roads to fund priorities of their own. Scotland's pot-holes have been ignored for so long we are now facing a financial black hole to bring our roads back to standard."

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