The amount of money being spent on repairing potholes across Perth and Kinross has decreased by almost £500,000, over a five year period.
The number of potholes being fixed by the council has also reduced during the same period of time.
Tthe council administration has come under fire from opposition members over the current state of the roads.
In the financial year 2014/15, 17,527 potholes were repaired, at a cost of £1,241,116.
However in 2018/19, a total of 9,932 potholes had been repaired, costing £761,042.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “In 2018/19 we moved to a first-time permanent repair approach to potholes.
“In the first year, we completed 84% against a target of achieving this for 80% of all repairs.
“These figures demonstrate the success of this approach and has led to a reduction in the number of potholes being reported to the council.”
Councillors in opposition parties have expressed their concerns over existing potholes across Perth and Kinross.
Leader of the SNP group, Grant Laing took to social media to highlight pothole issues in areas including Blairgowrie, Meikleour and Spittalfield.
In his Twitter post, Councillor Laing dubbed environment and infrastructure committee convener, Angus Forbes “Lord Forbes of the Pothole”.
He later said: “I am concerned that he is trapped in one of his potholes”.
Mr Laing’s stance was echoed by fellow SNP councillor, Andrew Parrot.
Mr Parrott, of the Perth City Centre ward said: “On coming to office in May 2017 the new Conservative administration made much of their pledge to rid Perth and Kinross of potholes.
“In each of their first two years in administration they spent less per year on fixing potholes than in the last three years of the previous SNP administration and on average each year fixed less potholes per year than the SNP did.
“Now, of course, potholes can only be fixed if they are there to be fixed but the state of our roads now suggests that there is no shortage of potholes to be fixed.”
Mr Forbes said: “I am delighted at the progress we are making in pothole repair and general road maintenance.
“When the Conservatives took over the council, we committed to the first time permanent process, from the figures here it seems that has paid off.
“I see this as very good use of public money, we have less potholes despite spending less money on them.
“Sadly, the SNP group entirely abandoned our road network in the last budget whilst we committed a further £3million.
“We will never get rid of potholes but this will make a huge difference.”
