By Eric Nicolson

A PERTHSHIRE MSP has called for immediate improvements to the area’s roads network in the wake of statistics released by the Scottish Executive which revealed nearly 50% of them may need repair.

In Perth and Kinross 43% of roads have been classified as “red” or “amber” by the Executive, meaning that the road has either “deteriorated to the point at which it is likely repairs to prolong its future life should be undertaken” or “further investigation should be undertaken to establish if treatment is required”.

The findings were revealed in the Executive’s Scottish Transport Statistics, which give information on the state of the roads in 2005/06.

These are the latest figures available, and MSP Murdo Fraser has demanded that action is taken to improve the state of the Perth and Kinross road network.

He said, “The Scottish Executive has confirmed to the people of Perth and Kinross that almost half of roads in Perth and Kinross require repairs or require further investigation.

“I believe that something has to be done to improve the situation. I have written to the chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council regarding the state of the road network in order to find out what is being done.

“Road users want to know what steps are being taken to improve the roads as they are paying record sums in taxation yet are seeing no improvement in public services.

“I believe that the Scottish Executive should adopt a blackspot funding programme, which will allow for urgent repairs to roads that are in disrepair and dangerous.”

The council’s convener of enterprise and infrastructure, councillor Alan Livingstone, responded, “The condition of roads is a national issue with local authorities across Scotland faced with an ever-increasing maintenance backlog and levels of funding which do not allow them to carry out sufficient work to reduce the backlog and keep their roads in as safe a condition as motorists would like.

“This is not only through general wear and tear, but also from unforeseen events like freak weather conditions.

“The council will continue to carry out maintenance work as its available resources allow, but with construction inflation running at between 15 and 20%, it is unlikely that the situation will improve in the near future.”

The latest figures show that from 01/08/05 to 31/07/06 Perth and Kinross Council repaired a total of 4079 road defects.

Once a pothole is brought to the council’s attention its repair is prioritised on a balance of risk in line with the national Code of Practice, a spokesperson pointed out.

Overall, 93% of all defects were repaired on time, he insisted.