Scottish Labour Proposes £350M Fund to Tackle Pothole Backlog

Scottish Labour has outlined plans to address deteriorating road conditions across Scotland, committing to a dedicated £350 million investment aimed at repairing millions of potholes.

Party leader Anas Sarwar said the proposal would fund repairs to an estimated 4.8 million potholes over a five-year period, positioning the initiative as part of a broader effort to improve the country’s transport infrastructure.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns over road maintenance, with local authorities having paid out £4.2 million in compensation between 2019/20 and 2023/24 for vehicle damage linked to poor road conditions.

Sarwar criticised the current state of the network, arguing that prolonged underinvestment has led to rising repair costs and increased pressure on road users. He said the proposed fund would help restore road quality while reducing long-term maintenance liabilities.

Under the plans, funding would be reallocated from the active and sustainable travel budget, while maintaining existing commitments to bus infrastructure. Scottish Labour has also emphasised the need for a more preventative approach to maintenance, aimed at improving asset longevity and reducing future defects.

The party has previously highlighted a reported 13% decline in local road spending since 2010–11, which it attributes to reductions in council funding.

In response, SNP candidate George Adam criticised Labour’s position, instead pointing to fuel costs and UK-level policy decisions as key pressures on motorists. He argued that greater powers at the Scottish level would enable more effective action to reduce costs for drivers.

The debate reflects wider challenges around infrastructure funding, maintenance backlogs and the balance between investment priorities within Scotland’s transport network.