Introduction
The functions of the Commissioner include “monitoring the carrying out of works in roads in Scotland” to ensure that roads authorities and utility companies are meeting their statutory obligations.
The Commissioner has been monitoring the performance of organisations since indicators were introduced in 2009. In parallel, roads authorities and utility companies have been improving their own use of management information, available from the SRWR, to monitor their own works.
In June and July 2025 all roads authority and utility companies respectively received their Annual Performance Review, in respect of performance during 2024/25.
Performance Indicators
Indicator reports are used to identify trends in the performance of roads authorities and utility companies over time. These reports are continually reviewed and developed to ensure that they are relevant, up to date and transparent.
A performance ‘dashboard’ was issued quarterly to all organisations undertaking road works in Scotland. This dashboard contained the key indicators published in this report and it allows organisations to track and benchmark their performance against the targets set. Organisations are required to provide a written response when their performance is falls below the targets.
Two new indicators were included in the performance reports for 2024/25. These measure the number of utility defects which have been outstanding for more than 6 months and the number of roads authority inspections that have been overdue for at least 6 months.
Engagement and Improvement
Ongoing engagement with organisations is intended to facilitate improved performance without the need to take formal enforcement action. Unfortunately, the retirement of the Performance Manager in late 2024 meant that this activity had to be curtailed for the last quarter of 2024/25. Additionally, this means that there is no report on which organisations actively engaged with the Commissioner’s office in 2024/25.
Key Facts 2024/25
| Road Works started | 166,295 (1.9% above 2023/24 volumes) |
|---|---|
| Scotland’s Road Network | 57,327 km* |
| SRWR Users (month average) | 3,536 |
| Potential Noticing Offences | 7,950 (1,845 RA & 6,115 U) |
| Actual FPNs Issued | 2,701 (compared to 6,115 potential) |
| Commissioner Observations | 2,386 |
| Commissioner Penalties issued | £nil |
| Sample Inspection Pass Rate | 94.7% (23,408 out of 24,722) |