ROADS in Inverclyde are among the worst in Scotland according to a new official report.

A study by independent watchdogs Audit Scotland has found that carriageways throughout the local authority area are ranked fourth from bottom in the whole of the country.

Almost half of Inverclyde’s roads fall below what is classed as an ‘acceptable condition’ – with just over 46 per cent which should be ‘considered for maintenance’.

The report says: “Around 54 per cent of roads in Inverclyde are currently in acceptable condition, one of the worst in Scotland.”

But the study also revealed that the level of investment in roads by Inverclyde Council is the third highest of all 32 local authorities – just behind East Dunbartonshire and Glasgow City.

Almost £13,000 per square kilometre is spent on maintenance.

Council officials say that investment in the local network has shot up by two-thirds in the last seven years and by the end of the local authority’s five-year roads plan, £29 million will have been spent on repairs and resurfacing throughout the district.

But motorists, taxi drivers and residents believe more needs to be done.
Valerie Docherty, who lives near Barrs Cottage in Greenock, said: “The roads are bad, really bad.

“The pavements are terrible as well.

“I fell and put my knee right through a pair of jeans because it was uneven.”
Council bosses say a huge effort is under way to bring local roads up to standard.

Councillor Michael McCormick, environment and regeneration convener, said: “The report highlights that Inverclyde’s investment in roads is one of the highest in the country and behind only East Dunbartonshire and Glasgow City councils.

“It also highlights that Inverclyde’s roads are among the council areas where the overall condition is improving thanks to that investment through our five-year £29m programme.

“It also recognises the level of improvement and increased investment in Inverclyde.

“There has been a 60 per cent increase in investment in Inverclyde roads between 2011/12 and 2014/15.

“The condition of all classes of local roads within Inverclyde improved in 2014/15.”

Local authority leader Stephen McCabe says huge sums are being invested in the infrastructure despite cuts from the Scottish Government.

Mr McCabe said: “The report’s findings do not come as a surprise.

“At a time when funding is being cut by the Scottish Government and the council tax has been frozen for nine years it is very difficult for councils to maintain investment in assets like roads.

“In Inverclyde however we have made investment in roads a key priority over the last few years through our £29m roads asset management plan.

“This is now bearing fruit with many of our roads significantly improved and a huge programme currently under way that will see further major improvements over the course of this financial year.

“This investment will be impossible to sustain in future years however if the Scottish Government continues to cut our grant.”

But the government says billions of pounds have been given to councils to tackle the state of the country’s roads and ultimately it is up to local authorities how they spend the money.

A spokesperson said: “Despite ongoing cuts to our budget by the UK Government, the Scottish Government has delivered a fair funding settlement with over £10.3 billion to local authorities in 2016/17.

“It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate resources on the basis of local needs and priorities.”