The SNP government must do better to support Scotland’s crumbling infrastructure, a new report has revealed.
Findings from the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) reveal major concerns in the areas of energy, transport and flooding infrastructure.
The State of the Nation report was compiled by national experts and highlights major concerns in energy, local transport and measures in place for flooding.
According to the independent engineers around a third of Scotland’s local roads are in an “unacceptable condition” and the maintenance backlog stands at over £2 billion.
The report also states Scotland is facing an energy “quadrilemma” and that all energy sources, including nuclear, on-shore gas and renewables, should be looked at.
There are also concerns about flooding with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) identifying 243 potentially vulnerable areas.
Scottish Conservative spokesman for infrastructure Alex Johnstone said:
“This is a poor report card for the SNP government and is worrying to say the least. It’s also a major blow for Scotland’s transport, business and infrastructure industries.
“The state of our transport system is there for all to see, crumbling roads, potholes appearing all over the place, delayed repairs and local authorities running out of funding.
“The SNP’s solution for years of neglect and under-investment in our roads is for people to stop using them, which is hardly good for the economy.
“We have a Scottish Government obsessed with wind energy and taking their eye of the ball when it comes to other methods.
“And in this day and age it’s shocking that we have so many potential flooding sites in Scotland. The taxpayer simply deserves much better.
“This is all down to our nationalist government being obsessed by independence instead of getting on with the job they were elected to do.
“Normal hard-working Scots are getting the raw deal here and the SNP really need to sort out the state of our crumbling infrastructure.”