More than 100,000 potholes have been reported on Scotland’s roads in less than a year, according to “shocking” statistics obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.
Responses to Freedom of Information requests reveal that 108,256 potholes were recorded by 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities between April 2023 and February 2024.
This represents an increase of almost 15% on the figure two years earlier – but the true rise is almost certainly greater, given that the latest total doesn’t comprise the full financial year.
Shadow transport minister Graham Simpson described the figures as the inevitable consequence of the SNP’s “brutal council funding cuts”, which have left Scotland’s local authorities unable to afford essential road repairs.
He added that the “dire state” of Scotland’s roads is a key General Election issue.
Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson said: “These shocking figures confirm what road users’ eyes tell them: that Scotland’s pothole epidemic is worsening on the SNP’s watch.
“Our roads are so dangerously pockmarked that many resemble the surface of the moon. That’s why the dire state of Scotland’s roads is a key issue in the General Election.
“The buck stops with the SNP Government. Years of brutal council funding cuts mean our local authorities lack the resources to properly repair Scotland’s roads.
“This, coupled with the Nationalists’ failure, at national level, to dual key trunk roads in rural Scotland is symptomatic of their utter contempt for motorists.
“And, yet, the mess they’ve made of our public transport system leaves many people with no option but to use their cars and risk damaging themselves or their vehicle.
“The SNP must end their war on Scotland’s motorists – and that starts by giving our councils the resources needed to tackle the pothole emergency.
“The Scottish Conservatives will always stand up for motorists, and in key seats across Scotland it’s a straight fight between us and the SNP.”