Conservatives Criticise High Number of Potholes on Lanarkshire Roads
Tory Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have voiced their concerns over the significant number of potholes on roads in Lanarkshire. Meghan Gallacher and Graham Simpson have strongly criticised the Scottish Government for the state of the roads in the region. According to responses from Freedom of Information requests made by the Scottish Conservatives, over 400,000 potholes have been reported to councils throughout Scotland since 2021. This number is believed to be even higher as one council did not provide data, and another did not disclose figures for the current year.
In South Lanarkshire, a total of 14,906 potholes have been documented since 2021/22. Similarly, in neighbouring North Lanarkshire, 8,734 potholes were recorded. MSP Meghan Gallacher attributes the deteriorating road conditions to the SNP’s continuous reductions in local council budgets. She highlighted that the ongoing cuts have resulted in local roads crumbling, leading to motorists facing the consequences.
Gallacher expressed her dismay at the state of roads in North Lanarkshire, labelling it as “appalling.” She stated that potholes are a widespread concern among constituents, citing them as one of the most frequent complaints she receives. Fellow Conservative MSP Graham Simpson emphasised the urgent need for the SNP to provide councils with fair funding to address the escalating issue of potholes in South Lanarkshire.
Across the UK, the Automobile Association (AA) recently reported a record high cost of £579 million incurred by motorists for repairing vehicles damaged by potholes in 2024, up from £474 million in the previous year. The challenging climate in the UK, particularly in Scotland, makes the roads more susceptible to potholes due to water seepage and freezing conditions.
In response to the criticism, a Scottish Government spokesperson emphasised that local authorities are responsible for managing their budgets and allocating resources based on local needs. The government highlighted its commitment to supporting councils, with over £14 billion made available to local authorities this year, representing a real-terms increase of 4.3%. Additionally, a record £15 billion has been allocated for councils in 2025-26, demonstrating a further real-terms increase of 4.7%.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by Tory MSPs regarding the high number of potholes on Lanarkshire roads underscore the pressing need for adequate funding and resources to address infrastructure maintenance issues. The escalating costs borne by motorists serve as a poignant reminder of the impact of neglecting road maintenance, emphasising the importance of investing in sustainable infrastructure for the benefit of all road users.