Written Question · S6W-15166 · Session 6
Further to the answer to question S6W-14311 by Jenny Gilruth on 7 February 2023, whether it can provide a breakdown of the number of (a) Ca…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14311 by Jenny Gilruth on 7 February 2023, whether it can provide a breakdown of the number of (a) Category 1 and (b) Category 2 potholes that were (i) reported and (ii) repaired, in each of the last five years.
The answer
Transport Scotland, through its Trunk Road Operating Companies and Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) Concessionaires, is responsible for the management and maintenance of the strategic trunk road network, including motorways. Repair of potholes on all other roads is the responsibility of the local authorities.
Category 1 potholes are defined within the term maintenance contract as those which present, or could present, an immediate hazard to trunk road users. They are typically detected during the twice weekly driven safety related inspections.
The Scottish Government fully funds the inspection and repair of all Category 1 potholes and the term maintenance contract sets out strict timescales for their repair. Following identification of Category 1 pothole defects, the Operating Companies are required to make the defect safe by 6am the following morning, preferably by completing a permanent repair. Where this is not possible then a temporary repair is required within the same timescale with permanent repairs required 28 days.
Category 2 defects are defined as those which do not present an immediate hazard to road users and are typically identified during walked annual inspections. Category 2 defects that deteriorate slowly could be recorded repeatedly over successive years before they are prioritised for maintenance. If defects do worsen more rapidly, a Category 1 defect is recorded and the defect is repaired within the contractual timescales outlined above.
The following table shows the number of Category 1 and Category 2 potholes identified and repaired in each of the last five whole years.
Financial Year
Number of Cat 1 Potholes Recorded
Number of Cat 1 Potholes Repaired
Number of Cat 2 Potholes Recorded
Number of Cat 2 Potholes Repaired
2017-2018
13,354
13,354
2,791
188
2018-2019
11,989
11,989
2,784
332
2019-2020
12,660
12,660
3,152
768
2020-2021
12,949
12,949
3,469
418
2021-2022
9,679
9,679
2,577
357
Category 1 potholes are defined within the term maintenance contract as those which present, or could present, an immediate hazard to trunk road users. They are typically detected during the twice weekly driven safety related inspections.
The Scottish Government fully funds the inspection and repair of all Category 1 potholes and the term maintenance contract sets out strict timescales for their repair. Following identification of Category 1 pothole defects, the Operating Companies are required to make the defect safe by 6am the following morning, preferably by completing a permanent repair. Where this is not possible then a temporary repair is required within the same timescale with permanent repairs required 28 days.
Category 2 defects are defined as those which do not present an immediate hazard to road users and are typically identified during walked annual inspections. Category 2 defects that deteriorate slowly could be recorded repeatedly over successive years before they are prioritised for maintenance. If defects do worsen more rapidly, a Category 1 defect is recorded and the defect is repaired within the contractual timescales outlined above.
The following table shows the number of Category 1 and Category 2 potholes identified and repaired in each of the last five whole years.
Financial Year
Number of Cat 1 Potholes Recorded
Number of Cat 1 Potholes Repaired
Number of Cat 2 Potholes Recorded
Number of Cat 2 Potholes Repaired
2017-2018
13,354
13,354
2,791
188
2018-2019
11,989
11,989
2,784
332
2019-2020
12,660
12,660
3,152
768
2020-2021
12,949
12,949
3,469
418
2021-2022
9,679
9,679
2,577
357
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-15166 by reference.