Question reference: S5W-32080
- Date lodged: 25 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms there are to ensure that public safety is not compromised by the manner in which companies responsible for trunk road maintenance prioritise their work programmes.
Answer
The Transport Scotland Road Asset Management Plan (RAMP), published January 2016, sets out how Scotland's trunk road network is maintained strategically and efficiently in order to protect our assets and ensure maximum value for money from our road maintenance activities. This can be found on the Transport Scotland website at https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/32978/j408891.pdf .
Chapter 5: Lifecycle Planning and Chapter 6: Programmed Maintenance set out the inspections and surveys undertaken on Scotland’s trunk roads and how maintenance schemes are prioritised.
Transport Scotland specifies requirements for regular surveys and inspections to ensure that the trunk road network is safe and fit for purpose, and to provide appropriate information to support maintenance decisions.
Operating Companies have a contractual obligation to inspect the trunk road network at 7-day intervals. These inspections are primarily to identify defects that require prompt attention (Category 1 defects) because they present, or could present, an immediate hazard to road users. For road surface Category 1 defects, the Operating Companies are required to carry out temporary repairs by 6 am the following morning and permanent repairs within 28 days.
Lesser defects and general deterioration which do not necessitate such an immediate safety-led response are then considered with findings from our annual testing of the network to determine future maintenance schemes. These schemes are programmed and considered against competing priorities across the trunk road network through our robust Value Management process.