30km of key roads in Scotland are due for a New Year revamp after the Scottish government pledged £5m for 'shovel-ready' schemes.

A number of road maintenance schemes are to be carried out on major A class and motorways before the end of the financial year.

Transport Minister Keith Brown, said: "The £205m investment for 'shovel ready' schemes across Scotland announced by the Scottish Government is set to deliver a building boom for Scotland.

"Our strategic road network plays a vitally important role in supporting our key economic drivers - tourism, food and drink and the renewables industry. We have already committed £655m to maintaining and improving roads in 2012/13, directly employing over 1000 people in our operating companies and supporting a further 350 jobs through the supply chain. This additional £5m will be used to replace around 30km of worn out road surfacing across all four trunk road regions.

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"Given the recent National Road Maintenance Review finding that every £1 spent on road maintenance generates a £1.50 benefit across the wider economy, this committed spend demonstrates clearly that this Government will invest in works which deliver maximum value for Scotland’s taxpayers. These shovel ready schemes will be delivered in early 2013."

Roads to be resurfaced through the funding include:

• North East region - A90, M90 and A96.

• North West region - A82/A83 and the A9 (near Pitlochry).

• South East region - M8 (between Glasgow and Edinburgh), M9, M80, A702.

• South West region - A75, A76, A77, M8 (around Glasgow), and M80 (near Glasgow).

The work will be managed by Transport Scotland’s operating companies: Amey, Bear Scotland and Scotland TranServ.

(IT/GK)