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| A third of roads maintained by councils 'not acceptable' | A third of roads maintained by councils 'not acceptable' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Recommendations made to improve the condition of Scotland's local roads two years ago have not yet led to any significant improvements, a report says. | Recommendations made to improve the condition of Scotland's local roads two years ago have not yet led to any significant improvements, a report says. |
| The Accounts Commission urged changes in 2011 to tackle road conditions and improve value for money in maintenance. | The Accounts Commission urged changes in 2011 to tackle road conditions and improve value for money in maintenance. |
| But the percentage of roads in acceptable condition has increased only marginally since then, it has found. | But the percentage of roads in acceptable condition has increased only marginally since then, it has found. |
| Cosla said councils continued to invest in roads despite declining budgets. | Cosla said councils continued to invest in roads despite declining budgets. |
| The Accounts Commission update report found that the percentage of acceptable roads has increased from 66.1% in 2009-10 to 66.7% in 2011-12. | The Accounts Commission update report found that the percentage of acceptable roads has increased from 66.1% in 2009-10 to 66.7% in 2011-12. |
| This was despite roads maintenance spending being reduced from £492m in 2009-10 to about £400m in 2010-11. | This was despite roads maintenance spending being reduced from £492m in 2009-10 to about £400m in 2010-11. |
| The proportion was still below 2005 levels, when 69.9% of local roads were classified as acceptable. | The proportion was still below 2005 levels, when 69.9% of local roads were classified as acceptable. |
| The update by the public spending watchdog found that all councils have now put a "roads asset management plan" in place, one of the recommendations from 2011. | The update by the public spending watchdog found that all councils have now put a "roads asset management plan" in place, one of the recommendations from 2011. |
| Some evidence of action to improve value for money was found, such as joint tendering with other councils, re-organising roads departments and changing shift patterns. | Some evidence of action to improve value for money was found, such as joint tendering with other councils, re-organising roads departments and changing shift patterns. |
| But the auditors said more work was needed to improve the quality and monitoring of the management plans, and that the pace of progress in improving roads condition was too slow. | But the auditors said more work was needed to improve the quality and monitoring of the management plans, and that the pace of progress in improving roads condition was too slow. |
| Public concern about the condition of roads remained high, the new report said. | Public concern about the condition of roads remained high, the new report said. |
| It recommended further efforts by councils, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and the Society of Chief Officers of Transport in Scotland. | It recommended further efforts by councils, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and the Society of Chief Officers of Transport in Scotland. |
| 'Vital asset' | 'Vital asset' |
| John Baillie, chair of the Accounts Commission, said: "There is a lot still to do. A well-maintained roads network is essential for all of us to get around in our daily lives and for economic prosperity. | |
| "Tighter budgets mean councils have to make tough choices across the board but this is about making better use of the resources they already have. | "Tighter budgets mean councils have to make tough choices across the board but this is about making better use of the resources they already have. |
| "There is potential for better sharing of skills and resources, more effective planning at national and local level and more use of benchmarking to learn from best practice elsewhere. | "There is potential for better sharing of skills and resources, more effective planning at national and local level and more use of benchmarking to learn from best practice elsewhere. |
| "We will continue to monitor developments in the future." | "We will continue to monitor developments in the future." |
| Councillor Stephen Hagan, Cosla's development, economy and sustainability spokesman, said: "There is no doubt councils have been actively addressing the general condition of roads across Scotland despite reduced budgets over the last few years. | Councillor Stephen Hagan, Cosla's development, economy and sustainability spokesman, said: "There is no doubt councils have been actively addressing the general condition of roads across Scotland despite reduced budgets over the last few years. |
| "Councils recognise the importance of the local road network as a vital asset in the lives of local communities and for local businesses. | "Councils recognise the importance of the local road network as a vital asset in the lives of local communities and for local businesses. |
| "For these reasons and many others, Scottish councils continue to invest in maintaining and improving the Scottish road network." | "For these reasons and many others, Scottish councils continue to invest in maintaining and improving the Scottish road network." |