MSP criticises state of north roads
It's official: Britain's roads continue to deteriorate, with potholes that are bigger and more numerous than ever before.
A survey carried out by the AA of more than 22,000 people has revealed that in the last two years a third of AA members have suffered pothole damage to their cars.
And the situation looks set to worsen thanks to 30 per cent more potholes being reported on the road network than at the start of 2012.
The local roads in Scotland and Yorkshire and Humberside were rated as the worst in Britain by those taking part in the AA Populus poll, with 40 per cent rated as being in poor, very poor or terrible condition.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP and Roads Safety Campaigner David Stewart said: “Potholes in our roads are a real problem for all road users not just the motorist.
"Recent studies have shown that our roads are in the worst condition they ever have been and are similar to that of third world countries. I believe that one junction in the Fort William area has about 14 pot holes in it”.
He added: “I heard today that it is costing councils across Scotland, £3,558,201 to compensate for damage caused by poorly-maintained roads. I urge the Government to find ring-fenced finance to plug the shortfalls in our highways budget”.
Mr Stewart continued: “No one seems to mention the road safety perspective. How many collisions have been caused by pot holes in our roads or by vehicles swerving to avoid them.
"What price do you put on injuries or fatalities to the individual caused by pot holes or as a direct result of pot holes?
“These are issues which need to be addressed and with the Government continuing to freeze the Council Tax, it has to accept that this has to be seen as a contributory factor to the poor state of our highways.
"I will be writing to the Transport Minister to seek his views on this matter and to ask what initiatives or plans does he have to address this very real problem?"
