More than £62k paid out for pothole damage on South Lanarkshire roads

South Lanarkshire Council has paid out over £62,000 for pothole damage on roads in the region, a recent report by the Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed. The investigation conducted by the party unveiled that Scottish councils have compensated more than £4 million for pothole-related claims since 2019. Willie Rennie MSP, the communities spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, emphasized the challenges faced by local authorities due to the increasing payouts for pothole damages.

The research involved sending freedom of information requests to all 32 local councils, seeking information on total compensation paid out for pothole claims each year since 2019. Among the councils that responded, a total of £4,265,007.54 has been disbursed over the past four years. The figures indicate a rising trend in annual payouts, with numbers climbing from £676,932 in 2019/20 to £870,228.92 in 2023/24.

In the most recent fiscal year, Dumfries & Galloway Council shelled out a substantial £326,000 for pothole compensation, closely followed by Glasgow with nearly £200,000. Additionally, Borders, Midlothian, and South Lanarkshire paid out more than £62,000 each for pothole damages in the same period. The research also highlighted the longest times taken for councils to repair potholes, with Moray recording 857 days and Falkirk 475 days in 2023/24.

Willie Rennie expressed concerns over the SNP government’s handling of the pothole situation, noting the adverse impact on motorists and the financial strain on cash-strapped councils. Rennie criticised the government for reducing funding for local authorities, leading to the current predicament. He called for better support for councils to address infrastructure issues like potholes effectively.

In response, Council Leader Joe Fagan acknowledged the financial challenges faced by councils, with the majority of revenue funding coming from the Scottish Government. Fagan highlighted the need for fair funding allocation to local services and infrastructure to prevent further deterioration. South Lanarkshire Council aims to secure adequate funding in the upcoming Scottish Budget to invest in essential services and improve local infrastructure.

South Lanarkshire Council was contacted for further comments on the matter. Local residents are urged to stay informed about developments in the area and participate in initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety and infrastructure maintenance.

In summary, the report sheds light on the significant financial burden potholes place on local authorities in Scotland, prompting calls for increased government support to address infrastructure challenges and enhance public safety on roads. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue to find sustainable solutions for maintaining road quality and preventing costly damages caused by potholes.