Moray Council has set out how it will maintain and improve its road network in 2026/27, detailing how a £9.5 million combined maintenance budget will be allocated and reporting the latest condition of local roads.

The road network — valued at almost £1.7 billion — is the council's largest single asset, stretching over more than 1,560km. Capital investment next year will prioritise works that safeguard the long-term integrity of the network, including resurfacing, reconstruction and surface dressing; drainage and other essential works; improvements to footways; kerb and edge replacements; and the replacement of ageing street‑lighting columns.

Named capital schemes to progress include major repairs on North Street in Buckie and the B9106 Braes of Enzie, alongside landslip‑related projects. One of the most significant schemes planned is resurfacing on the A941 at the Mart and Laich Moray roundabouts in Elgin.

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Revenue-funded, day‑to‑day activity to keep roads safe and usable will continue, covering patching and repairs, gully cleaning, grass cutting and upkeep of 19,191 street lights. Winter maintenance, which can vary considerably each year, also accounts for a substantial share of annual spend.

A separate performance report confirms Moray remains among the strongest performers nationally, ranking fifth in Scotland for overall road condition. The latest Road Condition Indicator (RCI) shows improvements across A, B and C‑class routes compared with the previous year, but deterioration on unclassified roads, which account for nearly half of the local network and disproportionately affect the overall RCI. The headline RCI has risen by 0.5%, indicating a slight overall deterioration.

The reports also underline rising financial pressures as the network grows and inflation pushes up costs. Increasing numbers of landslips linked to extreme rainfall are creating further challenges that require specialist, and costly, repairs.

Chair of Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said: "Moray's roads are one of our most important public assets and maintaining them to a safe and reliable standard is essential for residents, businesses and visitors. Despite ongoing financial pressures, we continue to perform strongly in national comparisons and remain committed to using every pound wisely through our evidence based asset management approach.

"The programme for 2026/27 focuses on the areas where investment will make the biggest long-term difference, while ensuring we can continue to keep the network safe through day-to-day maintenance. We are being honest about the challenges, but we are determined to protect our important infrastructure for the people of Moray."