Meeting of the Parliament 09 May 2018
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-11185, in the name of Rachael Hamilton, on the condition of Scotland’s roads. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises what it sees as serious issues with Scotland’s roads; believes that they have considerably deteriorated following the recent extreme weather, with new potholes being created and existing ones becoming worse; understands that recent statistics suggest that more than a quarter of the country’s roads are in an unsatisfactory state and that, between 2015 and 2017, almost 12,000 miles of these were either earmarked for inspection or required maintenance; notes reports that, since 2010, spending on maintenance has been reduced by 20%; understands that a recent report by confused.com claimed that the potholes on Scotland’s roads were the worst in the UK; believes that the report suggests that these potholes are four miles deep in total, cost £104 million in repairs in 2016, with requests for payments for repairs due to the damage inflicted by them rising by 130% between 2013 and 2017, and that over £2 million has been paid out in pothole-related compensation, and further believes that, despite efforts by local authorities, including the Scottish Borders Council’s commitment to spend £22 million on roads and bridges, the recent severe weather has now made repair almost impossible, meaning that Scotland’s roads are now facing a crisis.
17:07Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.