Meeting of the Parliament 09 May 2018
I will not go back and forth on the Borders issue. As I said, I do not think that any political party can claim to have given the issue the priority that it should have been given at the local level. The Scottish Government has increased our trunk road spending, which I am pleased about.
I will turn to the proposal for a pothole fund—I am not sure what it is called. I think that Rachael Hamilton referred to £100 million over the parliamentary session. It is clear that the Conservatives can take that forward with Derek Mackay in the next budget negotiations. I am sure that he will give the challenge back that people cannot ask for a tax cut and then ask for £100 million unless they say where the £100 million would come from. The Conservative finance spokesperson has, of course, every right to take that issue forward with Derek Mackay during the budget negotiations. From our perspective, we will continue to invest additional moneys where we can. The £10 million additional money that Derek Mackay announced on the back of the beast from the east is one example of that.
I will work hand in hand with local authorities to see how I can be helpful in relation to my role in the trunk road network. Where we can be helpful to local authorities in this regard, we absolutely will be.
I make an open offer to members. If they want to raise particular potholes with me, my Transport Scotland officials will make themselves available for that. We will continue to liaise with other political parties on any ideas that they have about improving our local roads. From a Scottish Government perspective, we will continue to do the job that we are paid to do, which is of course to invest in and maintain our trunk road network.
Meeting closed at 17:50.