McInnes Campaigns for Safer Roads

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrats across Scotland have given their full support to the campaign by Cosla and the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) for increased investment in road repairs and maintenance. The Liberal Democrats are also fighting to stop the new SNP government's plans to slash funding for roads maintenance to "the bare minimum". The SNP are considering a cut of more than £60 million across Scotland on roads maintenance.

Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

"We fully support the campaign by Cosla and the SCOTS road group to address the backlog in roads repairs and maintenance.

"Liberal Democrats are appalled that the SNP are considering cutting funding at a time when our roads would benefit from serious investment. This budget slash will have serious implications for Scotland's road network. I'm shocked that they are even considering this cut when what we need is more money for maintaining roads.

"Liberal Democrats want to see increased investment in the repair and upkeep of Scotland's roads, and we are campaigning hard to make the SNP drop these ludicrous plans. Rather than considering cuts to vital road maintenance budgets, the SNP should now be taking up the Liberal Democrat suggestion for a Local Roads Improvement fund to pump at least an extra £20 million into making our roads safer.

"Scotland's roads must not be allowed to deteriorate and become dangerous, simply to save the SNP money. Road safety is too important to be cut back to 'the bare minimum'."

The Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) estimate that a 10-year programme costing £3.87 billion is needed to bring roads up to a reasonable standard.

The road budget slash plans are contained in a report being considered by the new SNP Government. Questioned in Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for roads budgets, John Swinney MSP confirmed that the SNP are considering the recommendation "carefully". Challenged by the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament to reject the plans from the outset, the Cabinet Secretary refused saying that it "will be considered by the Government as part of the strategic spending review" (Official Report, 24 May 2007)