Scots councils forked out more than £135million on Scotland’s chronic pothole problem
CASH-STRAPPED councils have had to fork out more than GBP135million on Scotland's chronic pothole problem. Their efforts to patch up crater-covered roads have left them with an eye-watering repair bill over the past five years, figures obtained by The Scottish Sun on Sunday show.
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Scotland's councils have spent more than GBP135m patching potholes in the past 10 yearsCredit: Les Gallagher
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Potholes in Glasgow have seen the city branded the pothole capital of the UKCredit: Les Gallagher
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Road craters in DundeeCredit: Newsline Media
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A pothole at the junction of Hill Street and Reay Street in InvernessCredit: KEN MACPHERSON
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Council workers painted outlines around potholes on Edinburgh's Queensferry RoadCredit: Andrew Barr
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The road craters have cost cash-strapped councils MILLIONSCredit: Andrew BarrThe menace to drivers[1] has seen a spate of burst tyres, damaged motors and even crashes with vehicles written off[2]. Aberdeenshire[3] Council topped the list, having spent GBP17million on repairs.
We previously told how a monster pothole near Hatton left more than 20 cars[4] in the area with punctures. But the Automobile Association[5] claimed local authorities are squandering money[6] by opting for cheaper, short-term solutions rather than more lasting repairs. Jack Cousens, their head of roads, said: "Council budgets are now so stretched that they work on a 'patch and run' basis rather than permanently fix or resurface.