A new report has stated Scottish roads authorities need to take "urgent action" to improve the quality of the country's roads.

In its 'Maintaining Scotland's Roads' publication, Audit Scotland said while the proportion of the roads network classed as being in an acceptable condition (63%) has remained constant over the last four years, councils spending on maintenance has fallen by 14% over the same period.

The organisation said there is a wide variation among local authorities and the public body expressed concerns that current surveys do not always local damage to lower road layers.

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In addition Transport Scotland, which maintains motorways and key trunk roads, spent £24 million less on structural maintenance in 2014/15 that it considered necessary. Overall spending between 2011/12 and 2014/15 fell by 4%, while the proportion of its roads in an acceptable conditions also fell from 90% to 87%.

Accounts Commission chair Douglas Sinclair said: "The state of our roads is a major concern for the public. Surveys show that they remain dissatisfied, despite these concerns being flagged up in our two previous reports. Their voice needs to be listened to.

"Councils face increasing pressures and challenges but progress in developing a shared services approach for roads has been disappointingly slow. They can and should collaborate much more to secure better value for money."

Auditor General Caroline Gardner added: "A well-maintained roads network is vital for Scotland's economic prosperity. We cannot afford to neglect it. What is needed is a longer term view which takes into account both the need for new roads and the proper maintenance of what we have at present."

(LM/CD)