Roads we maintain

This information is accurate as of January 2026.

The Scottish road maintenance condition survey (SRMCS) is an annual, independent assessment of the condition of Scotland’s adopted road network.

As part of this survey, the Road Condition Indicator (RCI) is calculated. Audit Scotland uses the RCI as a Statutory Performance Indicator (SPI) to report on the overall condition of roads across the country.

The survey is carried out by an accredited contractor and covers:

• all Scottish council-managed road networks
• the Trunk Road network

Using the same methodology across all areas ensures consistency and enables direct comparison of road condition across Scotland’s entire adopted network.

Road Condition Indicator (RCI)

The Road Condition Indicator (RCI) is calculated by combining the total length of road rated as red and amber, then expressing that figure as a percentage of the entire road network:

• an increase in the RCI from one year to the next indicates the network is deteriorating
• a decrease in the RCI shows that overall road condition is improving

Statutory performance indicator (SPI)

The statutory performance indicator (SPI) measures the percentage of the road network that should be considered for maintenance treatment.

To ensure consistency:

• RCI for A, B, and C roads uses data from the previous two years
• RCI for U roads uses data from the previous four years

This results in:

• 100% sample for A, B, and C roads
• 40% sample for U roads

Survey coverage

The SRMCS survey covers different parts of the road network each year:

• A-class roads: 100% surveyed annually, with the direction of travel alternating each year
• B and C-class roads: 50% surveyed each year (full coverage over two years), with direction alternating over a four-year cycle
• U-class roads: 10% surveyed each year, in a single direction

For Highland, this means around 2,910km surveyed each year, or 43% of the total network.

Measurements are taken every 100mm, with results averaged over 10m sections to produce consistent, comparable data.

Data collected

The data collected as part of the survey is:

• texture (surface roughness)
• rutting (wheel tracking)
• longitudinal profile (ride smoothness)
• surface cracking

Condition categories

Roads assessed through the SRMCS are placed into three categories:

• Green: road is in acceptable condition with only minor defects
• Amber: further investigation is recommended
• Red: repairs are very likely needed to maintain serviceability

RCI results

2024-2026 SRMCS results

Road length per road class

Percentage per road class