Renfrewshire’s road maintenance backlog is forecast to rise to £51m by 2031, despite an expected improvement in the condition of the network.
A council roads plan puts the current estimated carriageway backlog at £43.46m. It says rising treatment, labour and construction costs account for the forecast increase.
Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board will consider the report on Wednesday, 4th November 2026.
The proportion of carriageways in the green condition category is expected to increase from 72.5% in 2026 to 80% by 2031.
Over the same period, the proportion in the red category is forecast to fall from 3.6% to 2.6%. The amber category is expected to fall from 23.9% to 17.4%.
The plan says the rising financial backlog reflects higher treatment and replacement costs rather than a deterioration in the overall condition of the network.
The council currently spends around £7m a year on carriageway maintenance and renewal. This forms part of its wider ten-year £90m roads investment programme.
The estimated annual funding needed to maintain the carriageway network at a steady condition is forecast to rise from £6.26m to £7.26m by 2031.
Current spending is above that requirement, but the forecast suggests the requirement would slightly exceed current investment levels by 2031.
The plan also considers higher spending levels. It estimates that annual investment of around £10m to £12m could bring approximately 90% of the network into the green category within five years.
Councillors are being asked to approve the Roads Asset Management Policy and Plan, along with an updated roads and footways inspection policy.
The report says the inspection policy refresh does not change existing defect priority categories or response times.