Conservative Lanarkshire list MSPs say the number of potholes recorded in Lanarkshire in recent years is “astonishing”.
Responses to a series of Freedom of Information requests from the Scottish Conservatives have revealed that over 400,000 potholes have been reported to Scotland’s councils since 2021.
The true figure is likely to be even higher as one council did not respond, while another did not provide figures for this year.
In South Lanarkshire, a total of 14,906 potholes have been recorded since 2021/22 while in neighbouring North Lanarkshire, 8,734 potholes were recorded with Meghan Gallacher placing the blame firmly on the SNP’s “savage” cuts to local council budgets.
Meghan says the cuts year after year to North and South Lanarkshire Council’s budgets mean local roads are “crumbling” and motorists are paying a “heavy price”.
She added that the state of the roads in North Lanarkshire is “appalling” and that potholes are one of the most common complaints in her MSP inbox.
In South Lanarkshire, a total of 14,906 potholes have been recorded since 2021/22.
The Central Scotland Tory MSP said: “The roads in Lanarkshire are in an appalling state.
“The SNP’s savage cuts to local council budgets year after year mean they simply don’t have the resources needed to repair the pothole-ridden roads.
“As a result, we are seeing an astonishing number of potholes being reported by local motorists and I know from my own inbox that potholes are one of the most common sources of complaints I receive from constituents.
“Our local roads are crumbling and motorists are paying a heavy price. They are having to dodge potholes every time they jump in the car – they are virtually unavoidable.”
Fellow Conservative MSP Graham Simpson added: “It is time for the SNP to finally give councils a fair funding deal to ensure the number of potholes on our roads in South Lanarkshire is drastically reduced, rather than the number recorded continuing to spiral out of control.”
Across the UK, the AA recently said the cost of repairing vehicles damaged by potholes hit a record high last year. Motorists faced a total bill of £579m in 2024, up from £474m during the previous 12 months.
Experts say the UK is more susceptible to potholes because of its climate, with roads in Scotland the most at risk. Cold and wet weather means water can get into cracks in the road surface and then freeze, eventually leading to potholes.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “It is up to individual local authorities to manage their day-to-day, decision-making and allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities.
“We recognise the crucial role councils and their employees play in communities across Scotland. That’s why the Scottish Government has made available over £14bn to local councils this year, a real terms increase of 4.3%, with a record £15bn for 2025-26 set out in the Scottish Budget, a real terms increase of 4.7%.”
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