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Asset Management Plan

North Ayrshire Council · 5 September 2025
Back to Ayrshire Shared Services Committee — 5 September 2025 and its agenda

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Official 
AYRSHIRE SHARED SERVICE JOINT COMMITTEE 
05 September 2025 
Report by the Head of Roads – Ayrshire Roads Alliance 
AYRSHIRE ROADS ALLIANCE
ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE 
Purpose of report 
1. The purpose of this Report is to seek approval from the Joint Committee on the
updated Asset Management Plan for the road networks of East and South
Ayrshire. 
Recommendations 
2 It is recommended that the Joint Committee:
i. Approves the updated Asset Management Plan contained within
Appendix 1
ii. Requests that amendments and updates are provided to future
meetings of the Joint Committee.
iii. Otherwise notes the contents of this Report 
Background
3 Road infrastructure is the most valuable community’s assets. In any economic
situation, expenditure in efficient and responsible ways is of great importance.
It is widely recognised that the application of modern, innovative, asset
management practices can enable improved value for money.  In these
challenging times is it essential that Ayrshire Roads Alliance embraces these
methods and strives to ensure that every penny spent is invested as wisely as
possible. 
4 Asset Management provides Ayrshire Roads Alliance with the necessary
tools for efficient and sustainable management of our roads with a short and
long term approach. The Roads Asset Management Plan forms an important part
of the Ayrshire Roads Alliances’ commitment to apply good asset management to
roads. 
5 Our roads ensure mobility in the local communities of East Ayrshire and South
Ayrshire enhancing accessibility, improved health benefits through active travel,
creates employment opportunities & supports economic productivity.

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Official
Main report/main issues 
6 This Roads Asset Management Plan sets out the Ayrshire Roads Alliance’s plans
for the maintenance of road assets for the period 2025 to 2030 on behalf of
East Ayrshire Council, and South Ayrshire Council. 
7 The Roads Asset Management Plan was last submitted to Joint Committee on 24
September 2024. 
Amendments from last year’s RAMP include: -
• Data tables updated throughout.
• Section 02.2 – Asset Inventory Updates to Table 1
• Section 05.1 - Asset Growth tables updated
• Section 05.2 - Traffic Growth figures updated
• Section 05.4 – Utility Company Works – Update on data, including
warranty duration.
• Section 05.5 - Legislative updates
• Section 06.1 – Road Condition Indicators updated
• Section 07.1 – Asset Valuation updated
• Section 07.2 – Historical Expenditure updated
• Section 07.3 – Planned Funding updated
• Section 08.1 - RCI Backlog – Data amended.
• Section 11 – References. Addition of last two documents (“Highways –
Maintaining a Vital Asset. What Should Councillors Know About Asset
Management?” and “Managing a valuable asset: improving local road
condition. All Party Parliamentary Group on Highway Maintenance.”

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Official
Implications 
Implications  Yes  No
Paragraph
number in
report
1. Policy/Strategic Planning Yes  8 / 9
2. Governance Yes  10
3. Human Resources Yes  11
4. Equality and Fairer Scotland Duty Yes  12
5. Financial Yes  13
6. Risk Yes  14
7. Community Wealth Building Yes  15
8. Net Zero Yes  16 
Policy/strategic planning implications 
8. A well maintained road network will contribute to achieving the Community Plan
objectives in relation to Economy & Skills and Safer Communities to maintain good
access to our communities within East Ayrshire.
9. The matters referred to in this report contribute to Priority 1 of the Council Plan:
Spaces and Places / Moving around and the environment (Outcome 1). 
Governance Implications 
10. The work of the Ayrshire Roads Alliance is undertaken in accordance with relevant
legislation. 
Human resource Implications 
11. There are no implications. 
Equality impact and Fairer Scotland duty implications 
12. The Roads Asset Management Plan complements the Equality Impact Assessment
by ensuring that any issues arising are adequately prioritised, managed and either
eliminated or mitigated. 
Financial implications 
13. The budget for Asset Improvement is set by East Ayrshire Council and South
Ayrshire Council. Appropriate scrutiny arrangements are in place to manage
these budgets.

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Risk implications 
14. The Asset Management Plan assists in the prioritisation of risks that need
to be mitigated by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance in order to reduce the
overall risk to eitherCouncil and to comply with the Community
Plan/Council Plan in both partner bodies. 
Community Wealth Building implications 
15. The works programme provides economic levers to develop resilient,
inclusive local economies with more local spend and fair employment, as
well as ensuring that wealth is more locally owned and benefits local people 
Net zero implications 
16.  The Ayrshire Roads Alliance Service Plan supports and links to East
Ayrshire Climate Strategy Themes 
Theme 2: Transport
Theme 4: Natural Environment 
Appendices (if applicable) 
1. Roads Asset Management Plan 
Background papers 
None 
Person to contact 
Jane Corrie, Head of Roads - Ayrshire Roads Alliance
Tel No. 01563 503164
E-mail: jane.corrie@ayrshireroadsalliance.org
Implementation Officer
Jane Corrie, Head of Roads - Ayrshire Roads Alliance 
Tel No. 01563 503164
E-mail: jane.corrie@ayrshireroadsalliance.org

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Ayrshire Roads Alliance
Roads Asset Management Plan 2025

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i 
Control Page
Document Information
Title Ayrshire Roads Alliance Roads Asset Management Plan
Author David Allen (Road Asset Officer)
Description Roads Asset Management Plan setting out the plans for the management
of the East Ayrshire Council and the South Ayrshire Council road assets.
This document has been produced in accordance with national guidance
& recommended good practices. 
Document Owner Jane Corrie (Head of Roads)

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Document Changes
Revision SCOTS
Template
Version
Date Author Changes from Previous Version
1 3.0 03/05/2023 David Allen 
ARA Roads
Asset Officer
Not Applicable
2 3.0 21/05/2024 David Allen 
ARA Roads
Asset Officer
Data tables updated; legislative updates;
addition of inventory data improvements
and asset management systems (02.4 &
02.5).
Traffic Growth figures updated
Addition of “Public Space CCTV” in 02.3.
Addition of final paragraph Page 48, 08.1
RCI Backlog.
3 3.0 14/08/2025 David Allen 
ARA Roads
Asset Officer
• Change to Organisation Chart
• Data tables & graphs updated
• Traffic Count data updated
• Updates to data management
systems
• Updates to EV charger numbers

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Contents
CONTROL PAGE ................................................................................................................. I
Document Information ................................................................................................................................. i
Document Changes ................................................................................................................................... ii
CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ III
LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. VI
LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... VIII
FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................... 1
01. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1
01.1 Strategic Context .............................................................................................................................. 1
01.2. Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 3
01.3. Purpose of Road Asset Management Plan...................................................................................... 3
02. OUR ROAD ASSETS .................................................................................................... 4
02.1. Road Network .................................................................................................................................. 4
02.2. Assets Inventory .............................................................................................................................. 5
02.3. Assets Not Covered ......................................................................................................................... 8
02.4. Inventory Data Improvement ........................................................................................................... 9
02.4.1. KaarbonTech Gully Smart ................................................................................................................. 9
02.4.2. Vaisala RoadAI .................................................................................................................................. 9
02.4.3. WDM Highways Asset Management System ................................................................................... 9
02.5. Asset Management Systems ........................................................................................................... 9
02.5.1. Ayrshire Roads Alliance HIAMS ........................................................................................................ 9
02.5.2 Vaisala RoadAI ................................................................................................................................. 10
02.5.3 KaarbonTech Gully Smart ................................................................................................................ 10
02.5.4 Asset Management Systems Conclusion ........................................................................................ 11

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03. STAKEHOLDERS ....................................................................................................... 12
03.1. Road Service Key Stakeholders .................................................................................................... 12
Table 3. Stakeholder Groups .................................................................................................................. 12
Stakeholder Group .................................................................................................................................. 12
Examples ................................................................................................................................................ 12
03.2. Stakeholder Communication & Engagement ................................................................................. 13
03.3. Customer Surveys ......................................................................................................................... 13
03.4. Customer Contacts ........................................................................................................................ 14
04. OUR ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES .................................................. 15
05. DEMANDS ................................................................................................................... 17
05.1. Asset Growth ................................................................................................................................. 17
05.2. Traffic Growth & Composition ........................................................................................................ 18
05.2.1. Scotland (2015–2024) ..................................................................................................................... 20
05.2.2. East Ayrshire (2015–2024) ............................................................................................................. 21
05.2.3. South Ayrshire (2015–2024) ........................................................................................................... 22
05.2.4. Key Insights ..................................................................................................................................... 22
05.3. Environmental Conditions .............................................................................................................. 24
05.3.1 Winters ............................................................................................................................................. 25
05.3.2 Flooding ............................................................................................................................................ 26
05.3.3 Ayrshire Shoreline Management Plan.............................................................................................. 28
05.3.4 Climate Change ................................................................................................................................ 29
05.3.5 Twenty Minute Neighbourhood ........................................................................................................ 31
05.3.6. Sustainable Materials in Maintenance of Highways Infrastructure ................................................. 32
05.4. Utility Company Works………………………………………………………………………………………33
05.5. Legislative Changes .......................................................................................................................... 34
06. SERVICE STANDARDS .............................................................................................. 35
06.1 Road Condition Indicators............................................................................................................... 39

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07. FINANCIAL SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 41
07.1. How is the Roads Service Funded? .............................................................................................. 41
07.2 Differences between Expenditure and Capital Expenditure ........................................................... 41
07.3. Asset Valuation .............................................................................................................................. 42
07.4. Historical Expenditure .................................................................................................................... 44
07.5. Planned Funding ............................................................................................................................ 46
08. ASSET INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ......................................................................... 49
08.1. Road Condition Indicator Backlog ................................................................................................. 49
09. RISK MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................. 52
09.1. Risk Management Introduction ...................................................................................................... 52
09.2. Safety Inspection Strategy ............................................................................................................. 54
09.3. Risk Strategy .................................................................................................................................. 57
09.3.1. Defect Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................. 57
09.3.2. Priority Response Times ................................................................................................................. 60
10. GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................. 62
10.1. Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................. 62
10.2. Main Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 67
11. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 70

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List of Tables
Table 1. Inventory Data as of 31st March 2025 ................................................................................ 6
Table 2. Snapshot of the percentage of road network surveyed with Vaisala RoadAI (June 2025).
........................................................................................................................................................ 10
Table 3. Stakeholder Groups .......................................................................................................... 12
Table 4. Sum lengths of Carriageway & Footway that have been adopted or disposed of for East
Ayrshire Council .............................................................................................................................. 17
Table 5. Sum lengths of Carriageway & Footway that have been adopted or disposed of for South
Ayrshire Council .............................................................................................................................. 17
Table 5. Service Standards for Carriageways 2024/25 (APSE Data - Carriageways) .................... 35
Table 6. Service Standards for Footways 2024/25 (APSE Data - Footways) ................................. 36
Table 7. Service Standards for Street Lighting 2024/25 (APSE Data) ............................................ 37
Table 8. Service Standards for Structures 2024/25 (APSE Data) .................................................. 38
Table 9. Service Standards for Traffic Signals 2024/25 (APSE Data) ............................................ 38
Table 10. East Ayrshire Council Road Condition Indicators (RCI) .................................................. 40
Table 11. South Ayrshire Council Road Condition Indicators (RCI) ............................................... 40
Table 12. East Ayrshire Council Asset Valuation as of 31st March 2025 ....................................... 42
Table 13 South Ayrshire Council Asset Valuation as of 31st March 2025 ...................................... 43
Table 14. East Ayrshire Council Historical Expenditure .................................................................. 44
Table 15. South Ayrshire Council Historical expenditure ................................................................ 45
Table 16. East Ayrshire Council Planned Capital Funding – 2025/26 to 2030/31 .......................... 46
Table 17. South Ayrshire Council Capital Investment Budgets 2024/25 to 2033/34 ...................... 47
Table 20. Network RCI Data for East Ayrshire Council & for South Ayrshire Council .................... 50
Table 21. Risk Likelihood ................................................................................................................ 57
Table 22. Impact/ Severity Score .................................................................................................... 58
Table 23. Risk Matrix ...................................................................................................................... 59
Table 24. Risk Management Matrix ................................................................................................ 59

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Table 25. Defect Priority and Response Times .............................................................................. 60
Table 26. Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 62
Table 27.  Definitions ...................................................................................................................... 67

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List of Figures
Figure 1. Ayrshire Roads Alliance Organisation Chart ..................................................................... 2
Figure 2:  Map Showing EAC and SAC Areas .................................................................................. 4
Figure 3 - Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 4: Annual Traffic by Vehicle Type in East Ayrshire. 1993 To 2024 Inclusive. ...................... 19
Figure 5: Annual Traffic by Vehicle Type in South Ayrshire. 1993 To 2024 Inclusive. ................... 19
Figure 6: Graph Showing Number Utility Company Works for Financial Years 2017/18 to 2024/25 in
East Ayrshire. .................................................................................................................................. 33
Figure 7: Graph Showing Number of Utility Company Works for Financial Years 2017/18 to 2024/25
in South Ayrshire. ............................................................................................................................ 34
Figure 8: Strategy Key Steps .......................................................................................................... 55

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Foreword
This Roads Asset Management Plan sets out Ayrshire Roads Alliances’ proposals for the
management of East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council road assets for the next three
years and beyond.  It has been produced in accordance with national guidance and recommended
good practices.
Road infrastructure is the most valuable of a community’s public assets. In any economic situation,
expenditure in efficient and responsible ways is of great importance.  It is widely recognised that the
application of modern, innovative, asset management practices can enable improved value for
money.  In these challenging times is it essential that Ayrshire Roads Alliance embraces these
methods and strives to ensure that every penny spent is invested as wisely as possible. 
Asset Management provides decision makers with the necessary tools for efficient and sustainable
management of roads with a short term and a long term view point. This Roads Asset Management
Plan forms an important part of the Ayrshire Roads Alliances’ commitment to apply good asset
management to roads.
Roads ensure mobility in your local community, and also in the wider Ayrshire area & beyond. Roads
enhance accessibility, health, mobility, facilitate trade & tourism, generates employment
opportunities & boosts economic productivity.
Consideration is given to the levels of investment in the road network to maintain and ultimately
improve on the East Ayrshire Council & South Ayrshire Councils strategic objectives that include: -
 Reducing inequalities
 Delivering inclusive economic growth
 Taking climate action
 Improving health & wellbeing of the community and visitors 
Signature 
Councillor Douglas Reid
Leader
East Ayrshire Council 
Signature 
Councillor Brian Connolly
Leader
South Ayrshire Council

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Roads Asset Management Plan 2025 
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01. Introduction
01.1 Strategic Context 
The Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) came in to being on the 1st of April, 2014, to deliver shared
Council roads and transportation services to communities across East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. 
The Alliance is governed by a joint committee of elected members from the two Councils, with East
Ayrshire Council as the lead authority. It delivers roads services including roads maintenance, street
lighting, winter maintenance, design, traffic, transportation and road safety. The Ayrshire Roads
Alliance organisation chart is shown in Figure 1, below.
The shared service ensures a consistent standard of service delivery while improving service
efficiency and resilience, against a backdrop of reducing public sector budgets.
Ayrshire Roads Alliance Road Asset Management Policy confirms our commitment to asset
management and aligns our approach with the SCOTS Road Asset Management (RAM) Framework
of Recommended Practices, including the “Well Managed Highways” Code of Practice.
Ayrshire Roads Alliance Road Asset Management Plan (RAMP), takes the Corporate Outcomes,
Objectives & Visions, for both East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council, translating them in
to a clear & concise Roads Asset Management objectives. The level of service that the Council is
aiming to achieve provides a means of identifying and prioritising the overall funding required for
road assets.
This RAMP summarises the status of our road assets in terms of size, value and condition and
presents a number of investment options for our major road assets. The scenarios presented and
issues raised are designed to assist with the budget setting process.
Asset groups are Carriageways, Footways, Structures, Street Lighting, and Traffic Signals. 
Condition assessments are carried out for carriageways and for structures.  The information
collected provides an accurate picture of the extent of the area’s roads infrastructure. An accurate
record of condition allows us to anticipate overall funding needs and predict the impact investment
scenarios will have on condition. 
Road infrastructure deterioration is generally slow and often unseen, meaning that the impact of
investment cannot be assessed in the short term.  Over time, the rate of deterioration accelerates
with insufficient maintenance. The investment scenarios presented consider the projected impact
over a 5 year period. This allows decisions to be taken with an understanding of medium and long
term implications.

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FIGURE 1. Ayrshire Roads Alliance Organisation Chart

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01.2. Overview
This Roads Asset Management Plan sets out the Ayrshire Roads Alliance’s plans for the
maintenance of road assets for the period 2025 to 2030, on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, and
South Ayrshire Council. 
Roads comprising carriageways, footways, structures, street lighting and traffic management
systems are the largest value assets in our local communities. A communities road network has
impacts that are not only the replacement costs, but also on business, employment, tourism, health,
education, and helping to ensure that East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire are more attractive places
to live.
East Ayrshire Council, and South Ayrshire Council, objectives align with Scottish Government
purposes & values that include: -
 Create a more successful country;
 Give opportunities to all people living in Scotland;
 Increase the wellbeing of people living in Scotland;
 Create sustainable and inclusive growth;
 Reduce inequalities and give equal importance to economic, environmental and social
progress. 
01.3. Purpose of Road Asset Management Plan
The purpose of the Road Asset Management Plan (RAMP) is to:
 Formalise strategies for investment in road asset groups;
 Define service standards;
 Improve how the road asset is managed;
 Support optimised service delivery across both Council areas.

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02. Our Road Assets
02.1. Road Network
FIGURE 2:  Map Showing EAC and SAC Areas

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02.2. Assets Inventory 
The roads networks are the single biggest assets that East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire
Council own. The Gross Replacement Cost (GRC), for East Ayrshire Council is £1.84 billion, and
£1.56 billion for South Ayrshire Council as of 31st of March 2024. The roads asset is made up of five
major asset groups:-
 Carriageway;
 Footways and Footpaths;
 Structures;
 Street Lighting;
 Traffic Management Systems.
Data, shown in table 1 below, is based on historical records and new data that is reviewed and
updated at the end of each financial year. Inventory data for non-roads assets is also included.

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Table 1. Inventory Data as of 31st March 2025
Asset Type Units East Ayrshire
Council
South Ayrshire
Council
Totals
Carriageway km 1,233 1,183 2,416
Footways & Footpaths km 1,050 945 1,995
Street Lighting Columns  No. 21,675 20,590 42,265
Illuminated Signs &
Bollards
No. 1,384 1,053 2,437
Structures  No. 618 371 989
Retaining Walls km 7 3 10
Cattle Grids No. 11 34 45
Traffic Signals No. of Sets 99 94 193
Zebra Crossings No. 27 0 27
Variable Message Signs No. 123 45 168
Vehicle Activated Signs No. 156 60 216
Real Time Passenger
Information
No. 67 50 117
Gullies No. 27,125 25,402 52,527
Grit Bins No. 760 284 1044
Weather Stations No. 3 1 4
Harbours No. 0 1 1
Protected Shoreline km 0 24 24
Public Car Parks No. 47 38 85
EV Dual Charging Points
(Public)
No. 63 36 93

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Table 1. Inventory Data as of 31st March 2025
Asset Type Units East Ayrshire
Council
South Ayrshire
Council
Totals
EV Dual Charging Points
(Fleet)
No. 44 3 47
Depots No. 1 2 3

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02.3. Assets Not Covered 
The RAMP covers assets maintained by Ayrshire Roads Alliance on behalf of East Ayrshire Council
and South Ayrshire Council, as local roads authorities.
Other Assets have been specifically excluded from this plan, i.e. being privately owned, or not being
directly linked to the public road network.  
These include:
 Private Roads and Footways – those roads that are maintained by persons or bodies
other than the Councils as the local roads authority;
 Trunk Roads – managed and maintained by Transport Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish
Ministers;
 Proposed Public Roads – those roads which will become public roads sometime in the
future;
 Private Bridges (i.e. Network rail structures);
 Council owned bridges, not on or crossing the public road network;
 Decorative, seasonal lighting;
 Public Space CCTV;
 Assets relating to the other five key areas of Council asset ownership (e.g.  Buildings
and Property, Council Housing, Open Space, Vehicle Fleet and Information and
Communications Technology);
 Public Rights of Way – landscape and countryside.

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02.4. Inventory Data Improvement
02.4.1. KaarbonTech Gully Smart
A gully asset data collection programme commenced on the 4th of March 2024 for East Ayrshire
Council and for South Ayrshire Council. The data collection was completed August 2024. This allows
for improved management of gully cleansing programmes and improved data as to the state of
gullies over time. 
02.4.2. Vaisala RoadAI 
Data, for road traffic signs is to be extracted from Vaisala Roads AI, and imported to the ARA
Highways Infrastructure Asset Management System (HIAMS). A manual review will be required to
remove temporary traffic signs and to remove any duplicate road signs. 
02.4.3. WDM Highways Asset Management System
A module has been developed, within HIAMS, to allow for Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) asset
data to be entered. VRS data is being collected in East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. 
02.5. Asset Management Systems
02.5.1. Ayrshire Roads Alliance HIAMS
The Ayrshire Roads Alliance has, for many years, utilised digital solutions, including WDMs’ Roads
Management System (RMS), WDMs’ Lighting Management System (LMS) and WDMs’ Structures
Management System (SMS). 
Since the WDM Highways Infrastructure Asset Management System (HIAMS) went live, additional
fixed reports have been developed, and are being developed, reducing time to extract information
for analysis and reporting. These reports also allow anyone, who has the necessary permissions, to
run these reports when required.
The ARA Pavement Management System (PMS) was migrated to the new cloud based model, on
HIAMS by the first quarter of 2025, and was utilised to create the carriageway resurfacing works
programme for 2025/26 financial year.

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02.5.2 Vaisala RoadAI
Vaisala RoadAI utilises a mobile phone camera to record information about visual road condition
data, traffic signs and road markings. The use of Vaisala RoadAI enhances safety, compliance, and
overall asset management data. An exercise to extract road condition data from the Vaisala RoadAI
system was carried out in 2025, and this data is now integrated into the Scheme Builder System
which is part of the WDM HIAMS Pavement Management System (PMS) module.
The Scheme Builder System, which is used to score Carriageway Schemes for the annual
programme of works, was approved by the Ayrshire Shared Services Joint Committee at their
meeting on the 10th November 2017.
Traffic sign data will also be collected from Vaisala RoadAI, and exported to the ARA HIAMS Roads
Management System module. This will provide accurate inventory data within ARA HIAMS.
For the year 2024/25, Vaisala RoadAI data collection has improved over previous years. 
Table 2. Snapshot of the percentage of road network surveyed with Vaisala RoadAI
(June 2025). 
Council Area Filtered Data (KM) & % Unfiltered Data (KM) & %
East Ayrshire Council 805.38 (65.6%) 873.49 (71.1%)
South Ayrshire Council 871.22 (73.6%) 911.94 (77.1%)   
Filtered data is where the road is videoed and where the RoadAI is able to analyse the data. 
Unfiltered data is where the road is videoed and includes lengths where the RoadAI has not been
able to analyse the data – perhaps due to wet weather, snow on the roads, poor lighting, sun in the
camera, or due to the polarising filter not having been set up correctly.
In November 2024, a Vaisala representative provided live demonstrations of the capabilities of
Vaisala RoadAI to the Roads Maintenance Unit, and to other departments within East Ayrshire
Council. 
02.5.3 KaarbonTech Gully Smart
East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council gully cleaning data has been historically
maintained in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The information collected is minimal and does is not
conducive to best practice maintenance, nor data analysis.

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There is an intention, for future development of a link between the ARA HIAMS and the Gully Smart
systems, to allow gully asset and condition information to be automatically transferred between both
software systems. 
02.5.4 Asset Management Systems Conclusion
The above systems contribute to efficient operations and cost savings. Inspections, and
maintenance activities, generate records that serve as evidence of compliance, maintenance, and
safety. These records are essential for audits, insurance claims, and legal purposes.

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03. Stakeholders
03.1. Road Service Key Stakeholders
Ayrshire Roads Alliance has a wide variety of stakeholders, which include: 
Table 3. Stakeholder Groups
Stakeholder Group Examples
Customers Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, commuters, logistics,
tourists, businesses
Transport providers Bus companies, Network Rail, ScotRail, Ferry
Companies, SPT, Prestwick Airport
Statutory Undertakers Water, gas, oil, electricity, telecommunications
Politicians Local Councillors, MSPs, MPs, Scottish Ministers, UK
Government Ministers
Senior Council Executive/Management Finance, Legal, ICT, Department Heads, Procurement
Council Road Infrastructure Officers Section Heads and Team Leaders within the Ayrshire
Roads Alliance
Emergency Services  Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish
Fire and Rescue Service, Coastguard
Industry bodies SCOTS, RAC, AA, Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, Scottish
Chambers of Commerce, Regional Timber Transport
group, UKRLG
Other Council Services & Organisations Refuse Collections, Social Services, Regeneration,
Education, Community Councils 
Delivery partners & Supply chain Consultants, Contractors, Suppliers
Neighbouring Roads Authorities North Ayrshire Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council,
South Lanarkshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council,
and Transport Scotland
Environmental SEPA, Scottish Government

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03.2. Stakeholder Communication & Engagement
Involving stakeholders, including communities and their representatives, is core to allowing Ayrshire
Roads Alliance deliver their commitments to the community. Consultation facilitates the creation of
shared values and objectives, allowing for developing and delivering of meaningful services and
setting stakeholder expectations.
East Ayrshire Council strategic framework 2022 to 2027 is available, online, where it is also possible
to provide comments.
South Ayrshire Council, via the “Have Your Say” section of the website have the ability to comment
on current consultations as well as to review historic consultations
Ayrshire Roads Alliance, on behalf of South Ayrshire Council, and East Ayrshire Council carry out
public consultations that may be accessed on line at the East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire
Council websites.
Through improvement plans, which are created from the outcomes of consultation, both East
Ayrshire Council, and South Ayrshire Council, show understanding of local needs and aspirations. 
These plans are reviewed and supplemented as necessary. 
Ayrshire Roads Alliance has a procedure in place for the management of complaints, from logging
a complaint (by email, telephone, or online), to a complaint being closed out. 
03.3. Customer Surveys
From 2022/23 financial year Ayrshire Roads Alliance have been using the online APSE Scotland
Road Survey questionnaire for the East Ayrshire Council area and for the South Ayrshire Council
area. The online surveys are available to the public from the Council websites, the Ayrshire Roads
Alliance website and on social media.
Link to the East Ayrshire Council survey is: - https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/east-ayrshire-2
Link to the South Ayrshire Council Survey is: - https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/south-ayrshire-
council-2
Due to too few people completing the surveys in 2023 and 2024, a review of how the surveys are
publicised will take place.

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03.4. Customer Contacts
Roads and street lighting faults reported by customers are recorded on the WDM HIAMS which
incorporates the previous WDM Routine Management System and the WDM Lighting
Management System, respectively.
Faults may be logged online, by email, by letter or by telephone.  The URL, for reporting a roads
or street lighting fault, is online at: - https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Report/Report-a-
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Official
04. Our Road Asset Management Objectives
The Ayrshire Roads Alliance Asset Management Objectives support the alignment with the East
Ayrshire Council and the South Ayrshire Council corporate management strategies and provide
direction for the implementation of Asset Management Practices across the Roads Service.  
Within East Ayrshire, a well maintained road network will contribute to achieving the Community Plan
objectives  in  relation  to  Economy  &  Skills  and  Safer  Communities  to  maintain good access to
our communities.
The South  Ayrshire  Council has the strategic  objective  of  ‘Enhanced  Environment  through 
Social,  Cultural  and Economic  Activities’  and,  within  that, the outcome  ‘Work  with  partners  to
improve roads  and  other  infrastructure,  to  encourage  house  building  and business investment
that sustains local communities’.
With reference to winter, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council have a statutory obligation under
Section 34 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage
of pedestrian and vehicles over public roads in terms of the above legislation a ‘road’ includes
carriageways, footways, and footpaths areas.
Both South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council aim to provide an effective and efficient
Winter Service in accordance with “Well Maintained Highways”, and within the resources available
to: - 
 Allow the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians;
 Minimise delays due to winter weather;
 Ensure operations are undertaken safely. 
The Asset Management Objectives support Ayrshire Roads Alliance to:
 Take a strategic approach to asset management;
 Focus on customer needs;
 Measure Performance;
 Communicate decision risks and opportunities;
 Provide a consistent approach to managing the asset.

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Environmental
Long-term option and planning analysis to minimise the environmental of impacts of
maintenance.   
Safety
Provide a safe network for all road users through the continuous refinement of the
authority’s intelligence-led approach.   
Healthier
Promote the healthier travel options through the provision of maintenance that
priorities pedestrians and cyclists.   
Customer Engagement
Engage with customers to understand their needs, priorities, and expectations to
support the development of service standards and improve customer satisfaction.
FIGURE 3 - Objectives

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05. Demands
05.1. Asset Growth 
The asset grows each year due to the adoption of new Roads and construction of new Road links.
New assets create the need for maintenance, management, and associated funding in future years
as these additional assets age.  Generally, increases in assets are due to new developments.  Over
the last 5 years the following assets lengths have been adopted, or disposed of, by the Councils: 
Table 4. Sum lengths of Carriageway & Footway that have been adopted or disposed
of for East Ayrshire Council 
(Data from Asset Valuation Annual Reports – Carriageway input, Additions and Disposals) 
2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Carriageway + 5.4 km + 4.4 km +0.6 km +4.9 km +5.0km
Footways and
Footpaths
+ 5.1 km + 7.8 km +0.6 km +4.3 km +7.7km 
Table 5. Sum lengths of Carriageway & Footway that have been adopted or disposed
of for South Ayrshire Council 
(Data from Asset Valuation Annual Reports – Carriageway input, Additions and Disposals) 
2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Carriageway +1.6 km -2.7 km 5.0 km 0.0 km 0.0 km
Footways and
Footpaths
+ 0.6 km 0.0 km 3.2 km 0.0 km 0.0 km

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05.2. Traffic Growth & Composition
Cars, and taxis, remain the dominant mode of transport in Scotland. In 2021, 43 billion vehicle
kilometres of traffic were travelled across the 59.2 thousand kilometres of roads in Scotland. Long
term trends for traffic growth have shown year on year increases. The exception to this have been
the years of 2020 and 2021, where there was a marked drop in traffic levels due to COVID-19. The
increase in traffic places increasing pressure on the Ayrshire Roads Alliance network due to the
significant increase in the general volume of traffic and in particular, large commercial vehicles. 
Increased car ownership and individual mobility since the Second World War was instrumental in
the closure of some of Ayrshire's railways in 1960s’, and created the demand for a road building and
road improvement programme of the principle routes that connect Ayrshire internally (including ferry
ports and Prestwick Airport), and with major conurbations out with of Ayrshire. The main demands,
for development, include for houses, agricultural buildings, tourist accommodation and the
expansion of urban areas.
In 2017 65% of all journeys were made either as drivers or passengers in a car or a van, up 4%
since 2012. Of these journeys the proportion of single occupancy car trips also showed an underlying
increasing trend, up 4% since 2012.
The number of people permitted to drive on our roads is ever increasing and if current trends
continue car trips nationwide are predicted to increase over the next 20 years by 20%.
During the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to September 2020) car traffic
throughout Scotland, dropped to 25% of 2019 levels. Total road traffic in Scotland increased by 2%
in 2023 - 2024, reaching 99% of pre-pandemic levels.  Car traffic saw a 3% increase, though it
remained 4% below pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
The tables below, are provided by the Department for Transport. The data show annual traffic by
vehicle type for East Ayrshire and for South Ayrshire from 1993 to 2024.

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Figure 4: Annual Traffic by Vehicle Type in East Ayrshire. 1993 To 2024 Inclusive. 
Figure 5: Annual Traffic by Vehicle Type in South Ayrshire. 1993 To 2024 Inclusive.

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05.2.1. Scotland (2015–2024)
The following data, in Sections 05.2.1 to 05.2.3, inclusive, shows how traffic volumes in Scotland,
East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire have recovered (post SARS-CoV-2), and evolved, since 2015.
Metrics used in this section are:
 Monitored network length (km);
 Annual cars & taxis vehicle-km (million);
 Annual all-motor-vehicles vehicle-km (million);
 Car share (% of all traffic);
 Traffic density (vehicle-km per km of road).
Scottish Transport Statistics 2024 reports long‐run growth from 2010 to 2019, a sharp SARS-CoV-2
dip in 2020–21, then rapid rebound by 2023-24. 
Table 5.  Road Traffic Statistics for Scotland (Data from DfT).
Year Network
(km) Cars & taxis (m km) All vehicles (m km) Car share Density (all km⁻¹)
2015 57,327 33,600 45,600 73.7 % 796,000
2016 57,327 34,200 46,200 74.0 % 806,000
2017 57,327 35,000 47,000 74.5 % 820,000
2018 57,327 35,500 47,800 74.3 % 834,000
2019 57,327 36,678 48,400 75.8 % 844,000
2020 57,327 28,800 36,500 78.9 % 637,000
2021 57,327 27,400 35,000 78.3 % 611,000
2022 57,327 32,800 42,000 78.1 % 733,000
2023 57,327 34,375 44,300 77.6 % 773,000
2024 57,327 35,372 48,384 73.1 % 844,000

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Key points:
 2015 to 2019: traffic rose approximately 10 % over four years;
 2020 to 2021: 25 % SARS-CoV-2 drop;
 2022 onwards: strong rebound, reaching 99 % of 2019 total in 2023/24;
 In 2024, 30.4 billion vehicle miles of traffic were travelled across the 37.1 thousand miles of
roads in Scotland, including Trunk Roads. 
05.2.2. East Ayrshire (2015–2024)
Table 6.  Road Traffic Statistics for East Ayrshire (Data from DfT).
Year Network (km) Cars & Taxis (m km) All Vehicles (m km) Car Share Density (all km⁻¹)
2015 1,330.6 503.4 673.0 74.8 % 506,000
2016 1,332.9 500.6 680.9 73.5 % 511,000
2017 1,334.5 514.9 704.2 73.1 % 528,000
2018 1,334.0 521.9 711.0 73.4 % 533,000
2019 1,332.5 522.6 708.9 73.7 % 532,000
2020 1,331.8 390.3 553.7 70.5 % 416,000
2021 1,332.5 453.0 645.6 70.2 % 485,000
2022 1,336.8 499.0 698.4 71.5 % 522,000
2023 1,338.6 515.0 713.1 72.2 % 532,000
2024 1,342.4 524.0 725.4 72.2 % 541,000
East Ayrshire’s recovery:
 SARS-CoV-2 trough in 2020 at -30 % vs 2019;
 Full rebound by 2023/24: cars +0.3 % vs 2019, all vehicles +2.3 %.

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05.2.3. South Ayrshire (2015–2024)
Table 7. Road Traffic Statistics for South Ayrshire (Data from DFT).
Year Network (km) Cars & Taxis (m km) All Vehicles (m km) Car Share Density (all km⁻¹)
2015 1 327.1 473.7 614.6 77.1 % 463 000
2016 1 325.0 486.3 635.0 76.6 % 479 000
2017 1 325.5 489.2 648.2 75.5 % 489 000
2018 1 321.6 492.5 649.4 75.8 % 492 000
2019 1 322.9 493.2 649.7 75.9 % 491 000
2020 1 315.8 362.5 499.0 72.6 % 379 000
2021 1 315.9 422.3 585.1 72.2 % 445 000
2022 1 324.0 471.8 646.0 73.0 % 488 000
2023 1 326.0 481.0 654.6 73.5 % 494 000
2024 1 329.5 485.9 661.5 73.4 % 498 000
South Ayrshire’s recovery:
 2020 bottomed at -22 % vs 2019.
 By 2024 traffic is 2 % above 2019 for total motor vehicles and cars. 
05.2.4. Key Insights
 Scotland, as a whole, as well as East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire saw a 30 %+ drop in 2020,
then a steady rebound by 2023/24;
 Scotland’s car share (approximately 73 %) closely matches South Ayrshire (approximately
73.5 %) and East Ayrshire (approximately 72.2 %);
 South Ayrshire has a marginally higher car share and traffic density than East Ayrshire,
reflecting stronger through-traffic on major routes;
 Post-SARS-CoV-2 recovery was essentially complete in East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire
by 2023.

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The National Transport Strategy outlines the Government’s vision for a Scottish transport system
which creates great places through the provision of a sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport
system which promotes prosperity, health and fairness for all our citizens. It aims to promote equality
by providing fair access to services which are easy to use and affordable for all.  
Many of the roads in East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council were not designed to
accommodate this level of traffic which creates a growing need for investment in maintenance. The
lack of maintenance can cause delays through disruption, and increase in carbon emissions. Not
intervening on time, can increase treatment costs, and also cause an increase in journey times as
the treatments will be more frequent and will require more time.

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05.3. Environmental Conditions
The Ayrshire Roads Alliance is responsible for maintenance works across the East Ayrshire Council
and South Ayrshire Council network of roads, bridges, structures and other assets. The protection
and enhancement of the natural environment is an important aspect of transport network
maintenance. 
The Scottish Government is committed to a
net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2045. This
requires fundamental transformations in how
the transport network is utilised, maintained
and developed. The Just Transition
Commission was established in 2018, with a
remit of providing Scottish Government
Ministers with practical advice. The advice is
developed from the gathering of knowledge,
expertise and lived experience from a wide
range of people and groups across Scotland.
As set out in the Scottish Government
Climate Change update, by 2030 Scottish
Governments intends to reduce car miles
travelled by 20%.
The transport system currently prioritises
cars. This will need to change in the future,
with the focus being on other modes of transport. Electric vehicles will play a necessary role in
reducing transport related CO2 emissions. Continued dependence upon private vehicle usage does
not constitute behaviour change towards more active and inclusive forms of travel, and will continue
to be a significant source of harmful particulate matter. Electrification will bring immediate benefits
to some roadside emissions. This does not negate the requirements for a transport system that is
accessible to all and which maximises the physical and mental health benefits of active and
decarbonised transport which will require a range of policy changes.
East Ayrshire Councils’ Climate Change Strategy, “Clean Green east Ayrshire” proposes cutting
emissions both within the Council and in the wider area which will help build a stronger post-carbon,
post-COVID economy, with community wealth building, equality of opportunity and improved quality
of life for all at its heart. The East Ayrshire Council strategy is available online at: - https://www.east-
ayrshire.gov.uk/Clean-Green-East-Ayrshire/Climate-change-strategy/Climate-change-
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As per the survey, South Ayrshire Council’s Climate Change Strategy aims to ensure a just transition
for people and nature, supporting ecological recovery and wellbeing, reducing inequalities and
creating sustainable, liveable places where people are connected to nature, climate literate and
understand the natural systems we rely on, are supported to develop green skills and can work in a
fast-evolving local green jobs market, travel less overall and make active and sustainable travel
choices first.
South Ayrshire Councils current “Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy” document
may be found online at: - Sustainable development and climate change strategy 2019-2024 (south-
ayrshire.gov.uk).
Pressures on the transport network assets come from a number of environmental sources that
include: -
 Winters (e.g. 2018, Beast from the East);
 Flooding;
 Climate change;
 Changes in pollution levels. Pollution levels dropping in some instances – more
knowledge required around plastics pollution. 
05.3.1 Winters
The Ayrshire region has a temperate maritime climate where summers tend not to be hot, and
winters not too cold. Generally the hottest month is July, and the coldest January. The weather is
fairly unpredictable, as with the rest of Scotland. 
The climate of the Ayrshire region has a maritime influence, as the prevailing winds blow from the
sea. The warm Gulf Stream also has a strong influence on Western Scotland with winds mainly
blowing from the sea. The annual mean temperatures are in the range 9.5 to 9.9 °C in coastal areas.
The sea reaches its lowest temperature in February or early March so that on average February is
the coldest month in some coastal parts of Ayrshire with minimum daily temperatures being about
2C.  For snow to lie for any length of time then the temperature normally has to be lower than this.
Over most of the area, snowfall is normally confined to the months from November to April. On
average, the number of days with snow falling is about 20 near the Ayrshire coastline. The number
of days where snow lies is less than 5 days.
Occasionally transport disruption can occur. One example being during the winter of 2018/19. There
were 10 days starting on Thursday the 22nd February 2019 where traffic was majorly impacted. A
stratospheric warming (warm air traveling across the Atlantic from Mexico to the UK) disturbed the
jet stream. This allowed for cold winds from Russia to reach the UK. Temperatures dropped, with a
frost each night. Then, the Met Office issued a rare red snow warning across central Scotland. By

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the time the air reached Scotland, it was just below 0C. In addition the air mass had collected water
from the North Sea which resulted in heavy snowfall upon reaching Scotland. Glasgow Airport was
closed and there was widespread travel disruption. Power cuts hits thousands of homes and military
assistance was deployed. This storm was known as The Beast from the East. In Scotland, the
demand for gas required to heat homes rose by 50%. 
05.3.2 Flooding
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s national flood forecasting, flood
warning authority and strategic flood risk management organisation.  SEPA liaise closely with other
organisations that are responsible for managing flood risk, to ensure that a nationally consistent
approach to flood risk management is adopted. Councils are responsible for producing Local Flood
Risk Management Plans (LFRMP) and for engaging with SEPA, Scottish Water and other
responsible authorities to develop these.
A LFRMP is a document, or series of documents, that describe how organisations will collaborate
and coordinate in order to mitigate adverse impacts of flooding on communities. Flooding is
something that has the ability to effect people, the environment, property, infrastructure and
economic activity. Due to flooding impacting cross boundaries, it is common for Councils to create
a collaborative Flood Risk Management Plan. For flood risk management purposes, Scotland has
been divided into 14 Local Plan Districts. The two districts that are pertinent to East Ayrshire Council
and South Ayrshire Council are Ayrshire and Solway. 
The first Ayrshire LFRMP, was created in 2009 and is reviewed, and revised, as necessary. The
Ayrshire Flood Risk Management Plan is published by North Ayrshire Council on behalf of North
Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Water, SEPA and
NatureScot (previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage). North Ayrshire is the lead local authority
for the Ayrshire Local Plan District. 
The Flood Risk Management Strategy is a tool utilised for implementing the Flood Risk Strategy,
and addresses the risk of flooding from rivers, the coast and surface water. The risk of flooding from
rivers is usually due to rainfall causing a river to rise above bank level spreading out and inundating
adjacent areas. Coastal flooding is where the risk is from the sea. Sea levels can change in response
to tidal cycles or atmospheric conditions. Over the longer term sea levels and coastal flood risk may
change due to climate change. Surface water flooding happens when rainwater does not drain away
through the normal drainage systems or soak into the ground, but lies on or flows over the ground
instead.
In summary, there are 18 areas and one candidate area that have been identified as being potentially
vulnerable to flood risk across the Ayrshire Local Plan district. These include 7,800 residential and
2,700 non-residential properties. The estimated annual average damage from the identified flood
risks is £16.4 million. The Flood Risk Management plan presents actions to avoid and reduce the
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vulnerable areas and across the local plan district. These actions include 3 prioritised flood protection
schemes or works; 15 flood protection studies; flood warning schemes, surface water management
plans, and natural flood management studies and works. The delivery of many of these actions may
be dependent on the availability of funding.
For full details the following documents, that are available on the Ayrshire Roads Alliance website,
should be referenced: - 
 Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan, Cycle 2 – LPD 12;  
 Solway Local Flood Risk Management Plan, Cycle 2 - LPD14.   
The Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan, Cycle 2 – LPD 12 may be found on the Ayrshire
Roads Alliance website at: - 
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Resources/pdf/Flooding/2022/ayrshire-local-flood-risk-
management-plan.pdf
The Solway Local Flood Risk Management Plan, Cycle 2 - LPD14 may be found at: - 
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Resources/pdf/Flooding/2022/solway-local-flood-risk-
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05.3.3 Ayrshire Shoreline Management Plan
A shoreline management plan (SMP) includes a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with
coastal processes, including flooding and erosion over short (0 to 20 years), medium (20 to 50 years)
and long term (50 to 100 years) timescales.  A Shoreline Management Plan informs as to the
management of risks, to an identified stretch of coastline, to people and the developed, historic and
natural environment. One of the main aims of an SMP is to promote sustainable policies into the
next century and provide a timescale for managing risks along the coastline in the future.
The Ayrshire Shoreline Management Plan extends from Skelmorlie to the Galloway Burn, at the
Dumfries and Galloway Council boundary. The islands of Arran and Great Cumbrae are also
included in the plan. Implications of relevant suggested management measures have been
considered for the adjacent council areas of Inverclyde and Dumfries & Galloway, however policy
for these areas is not set by the Ayrshire Shoreline Management Plan. 
The Ayrshire SMP should be reviewed at regular intervals in order to assess if the policies and
actions proposed are still appropriate, particularly as the understanding of the rate of sea level rise
resulting from global climate change becomes better understood. Rising sea levels, increased
coastal erosion and erosion-enhanced flooding will progressively impact soft coastlines.
The Shoreline Management Plan, along with associated documents, is published on the Ayrshire
Roads Alliance website and the South Ayrshire Council website. 
The link to the Shoreline Management Plan, on the Ayrshire Roads Alliance website is at: -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Information-On/Ayrshire-Shoreline-Management-Plan-
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05.3.4 Climate Change
The landscape of the Ayrshire region predominantly comprises of a landscape that is at low level.
The localised highest points are Kirrieoch Hill, South of Straiton, at 786 metres ASL and Blackcraig
Hill, near New Cumnock, at 700 metres ASL.
The environment, health of people and the economy within Ayrshire are intrinsically linked. In
Scotland we are already seeing changes in climate that are impacting society. Climate change, the
long term shift in climate patterns, is mainly driven by greenhouse gasses (that include carbon
dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, water vapour and ozone), aerosol emissions and land use change.
These can impact climate systems in many ways, including: -
➢ Changes to the hydrological cycle (the movement of water on, above and below the surface
of the Earth. E.g. Ground water, rivers, clouds, rain, transpiration from plants, evaporation);
➢ Warming Oceans, land and air;
➢ Melting ice (poles and glaciers);
➢ Rising sea levels;
➢ Ocean acidification;
➢ Changes in ocean currents (i.e. The North Atlantic Drift);
➢ More extreme weather. 
The impacts to Scotland include: -
➢ Damage to infrastructure, including roads, structures and drainage systems;
➢ Flooding of coastal regions;
➢ Localised flooding due to increased amounts of rainfall in shorter periods of time;
➢ Risks to water supplies;
➢ Food instability;
➢ Death of forests;
➢ Change in seasons;
➢ Damage to marine eco systems;

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➢ Conflict and climate migrants.
For the benefit of our communities, our children, the environment and prosperity, Scotland is
transitioning to a net zero emissions society. By 2045 there shall be no greenhouse gas emissions.
To help meet Scotland’s targets, a transformation of all sectors of life is required.
Net Zero Scotland informs us that transport accounts for about 36% of Scotland's greenhouse gas
emissions. 40% of Scotland’s transport emissions comes from cars. Over half of all journeys made
in Scotland are under 5km. Some steps have been taken to reduce this, including the Active Travel
initiative, but the overwhelming majority of vehicles on the road are still greenhouse gas-emitting
petrol or diesel engines.
The Scottish government has said it wants to have "phased out" the need for new petrol and diesel
cars by 2030 - and hopes to reduce the use of cars generally, with the number of kilometres driven
to be reduced by 20%.
The number of new electric and hybrid cars registered in the UK is soaring and the availability of
publicly available charge points in Scotland, as of November 2024, is 6,000 and increasing.
Both East Ayrshire Council, and South Ayrshire Council have completed a review of publicly
accessible Electric Vehicle charging points. East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council,
through the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, are working in conjunction with North Ayrshire Council to further
develop ways to improve access to charging points for electric vehicles. East Ayrshire currently have
63 publicly accessible Electric Vehicle charging points and South Ayrshire Council have 36. 
A business case was created in 2022 between North, East and South Ayrshire Councils which set
out how all three local authorities could work together to expand the EV charging infrastructure
network to meet projected EV demand over the next three to four years. A list of desired outcomes
for the EV network were produced in consultation with key stakeholders, which stated that the public
EV network should give people access to a technologically advanced, well maintained, reliable
network; that it should be available in rural, remote and more deprived areas; that it must be
commercially viable and attract private sector investment, and that it should promote the use of
public transport and active travel as people’s first choice in line with the National Transport Strategy.
Based on this business case, the Ayrshire Authorities are working in partnership on the Pan Ayrshire
EV infrastructure project, which aims to improve the EV charging Infrastructure across Ayrshire and
increase the EV charging infrastructure by installing additional 307 chargers to the existing 151 public
chargers. The project is currently progressing in tendering phase. The first phase concluded in June
2025, resulting in a shortlist of potential bidders. The second part of the tendering process is set to
go out shortly for the short-listed bidders, with a final contract award anticipated in January 2026.
Potential locations for the proposed EV network were investigated and it was agreed that the aim
would be for 99% of Ayrshire properties without off-street parking to be within a 10-minute drive of a
charge point. The chargers are planned to be installed in three phases within the first 3 years after

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contract award, and a public consultation was conducted recently to gather feedback on the
proposed locations for the new 307 chargers. The locations will include a mix of destination and
residential chargers, covering both urban and rural areas across the three Ayrshire Councils. 
05.3.5 Twenty Minute Neighbourhood
In 2016 transport became the largest greenhouse gas emitting sector. This follows a decrease in
emissions from coal power, as the UK transitioned towards gas for energy. Emissions, from
transport, in Scotland have decreased but transport is still the largest contributor to emissions.  
Transport accounted for 35.6% of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2018; 40% of these
emissions came from car journeys - the highest emitting mode of transport.  In 2020, transport
accounted for 23.8% of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions; cars being 40% of that total.
Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 19% reduction transport within Scotland. This has given the
largest fall in greenhouse gas emissions on record. This reduction coincides with COVID-19 related
restrictions. It is likely that there will have been reduced emissions for 2021 as well.  
Scottish Government, in conjunction with Councils, has made a commitment to deliver a net zero
society by 2045, which means zero greenhouse gas emissions. Councils, throughout Scotland, have
their part to play in meeting the targets. 
Lockdown in 2020, due to COVID-19, showed that people’s lives could be improved through walking,
cycling, taking exercise, access to local or online services, working from or closer to home, and
access to shared green spaces. Lockdown dramatically limited individual movement. These
restrictions have spurred on adoption of twenty minute neighbourhoods, an urban planning strategy
that has existed for decades. The strategy focuses on the decentralisation of towns & cities by
bringing amenities into neighbourhoods.
20 minute neighbourhoods' are places that are designed so that residents may have access to
services they need, including schools, shops, doctors surgeries, dentists, leisure facilities and places
of work, within a 20 minute walk of their home. This is through access to safe walking and cycling
routes, or by public transport.  The goal is to make active travel the easiest option for everyone.  
Benefits of a twenty minute neighbourhood are not just in reductions of traffic and greenhouse gas
emissions. Adults should aim for around 20 - 30 minutes moderate physical activity, such as brisk
walking, as a daily minimum.  20 minute neighbourhoods help to ensure that much of this activity
can be accommodated within our normal daily patterns of behaviour. When then a place is attractive
and easy to move around, individuals are encouraged to choose walking, wheeling or cycling, with
benefits for physical and mental health. Fewer vehicles on our roads, travelling at lower speeds can
help to increase walking, wheeling and cycling and improve air quality.

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There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to developing 20 minute neighbourhoods. Every community
is different, as are the needs of its residents. It is also possible that some of those communities
where the ability to engage is lowest, may be where the opportunities to make significant and
measurable changes are the greatest.
The concept needs resourcing and delivery at a scale and intensity proportionate to the degree of
need. All communities will need some support, but the most in need should have the most support
to close the gap.
The South Ayrshire Council Active Travel Strategy has been published on the website below. 
Link to South Ayrshire Council Active Travel Strategy: -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Information-On/Traffic-and-Road-Safety/Active-Travel-
Strategy.aspx 
05.3.6. Sustainable Materials in Maintenance of Highways Infrastructure
Sustainable maintenance practices, of highways infrastructure, is a multi-discipline concept that
integrates ecological, social and economic aspects along with the close involvement of organisations
from manufacturers, government, highways maintenance organisations and industry bodies. 
Ayrshire Roads Alliance has embraced, and is implementing principles of sustainability through
managing works by limiting their impact, on the environment. The intention is to maximize benefits
throughout the life time of an asset whilst minimizing emissions, and minimising waste, through
recycling of materials used.
As an example, on the Loans to Troon Active Travel Corridor, Ayrshire Roads Alliance explored
various alternative materials to reduce carbon emissions. This focussed on kerbing and paved areas
as two of the identified carbon hotspots. After a trial, a porous rubber crumb surface was taken
forward as a replacement for asphalt. This alternative material had several benefits from reducing
the requirement for concrete edge kerbing to being porous and thus providing a sustainable drainage
solution. Lessons learnt from this scheme have been invaluable for ensuring best practice and
considering future low carbon materials.
Other examples include the use of in situ recycling of asphalt, and the use of hydraulically bound
materials (HBM) utilising recycled materials.
The use of sustainable materials can lead to reductions in carbon emissions, but as important is
ensuring that carbon is considered early in the design process, to make efficiency in design and
minimise the volume of materials required.

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05.4. Utility Company Works
Utility activity can have a major effect on the maintenance and management of the road assets.
There are currently no recorded figures to quantify the effect that utility openings have on the road
structure but it is widely believed that these lead to an increase in defects and earlier deterioration
of the road surface than would otherwise be expected. All Utility companies are responsible for
carrying out their own reinstatements. For any works where the permanent reinstatement was
completed prior to the 1st October 2023, works have a 2-year, or 3-year, guarantee depending upon
the depth of the apparatus. 
The duration of guarantee periods, for permanent reinstatements, has been reviewed.  For any
permanent reinstatements completed from the 1ST October 2023 the guarantee period increased to
six years.
The graphs, below, show the number of works carried out by Utility Companies since the start of the
financial year 2017/18.  There are two graphs, below, one displaying information for East Ayrshire
Council and one graph for South Ayrshire Council. 
Figure 6: Graph Showing Number Utility Company Works for Financial Years 2017/18 to 2024/25 in East Ayrshire.

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Figure 7: Graph Showing Number of Utility Company Works for Financial Years 2017/18 to 2024/25 in South Ayrshire. 
05.5. Legislative Changes 
There is secondary legislation (Scottish Statutory Instrument) due to be enacted, in the near future
requiring Roads Authorities to hold asset data, such as street lighting underground cables and roads
drainage and upload it, on a regular basis, to the Scottish Road Works Register VAULT.  
This will require substantial investment in staff time to capture the asset data, along with
development of a suitable graphical based information system to store and to manage the data.

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06. Service Standards
This plan is based upon delivering the service standards indicated below.  They are the standards
that service users can expect from East Ayrshire Council’s and South Ayrshire Council’s road
assets during the plan period. Details of how the specific measures, shown below, are calculated
are included in the Road maintenance manual. Data below, for carriageways, is taken from the
Ayrshire Roads Alliance annual Scottish Roads Maintenance Condition Survey (SRMCS) survey
results for East Ayrshire Council and for South Ayrshire Council for 2024/25. 
Table 5. Service Standards for Carriageways 2024/25 (APSE Data - Carriageways)
Service Measured By EAC
Achieved
SAC
Achieved
Safety Percentage of Priority 1 defects made safe
within response times.
93% 100%
Percentage of safety inspections completed
on time.
80% 93%
Condition Overall Percentage of carriageway length to
be considered for maintenance treatment
(RCI).
31.7% 34.0%
Percentage of “A” Class roads to be
considered for maintenance treatment.
17.7% 23.4%
Percentage of “B” Class roads to be
considered for maintenance treatment.
25.2% 28.6%
Percentage of “C” Class roads to be
considered for maintenance treatment.
30.8% 37.6%
Percentage of unclassified, non-principal
roads network where maintenance should be
considered.
36.4% 37.0%

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Table 6. Service Standards for Footways 2024/25 (APSE Data - Footways)
Service Measured By EAC Achieved SAC Achieved
Safety Percentage of Priority 1 defects
made safe within response times (2
hours).
75% 100%
Condition Percentage of footway to be
considered for maintenance
treatment.
17.5%  15.0%
Percentage of footway treated. 0.23% 0.07%

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Table 7. Service Standards for Street Lighting 2024/25 (APSE Data)
Service Measured By EAC Achieved SAC Achieved
Safety Percentage of repairs within 7 days.  93.54% 90.51%
Average time to repair a fault (days).  3.37 3.48 
Environment Average annual electricity consumption
(kilowatt hours per annum) street
lighting only.
185.55
kWh/Annum
157.19 
kWh/Annum
Total annual energy consumption in
kilowatt hours per annum for the street
lighting asset (non-Central
Management System & Central
Management System) EXCLUDING
traffic signals if applicable
3,752,407kWh 3,039,166kWh

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Table 8. Service Standards for Structures 2024/25 (APSE Data)
Service Measured By EAC Achieved  SAC Achieved 
Condition Number of principal inspections
carried out on time.
91 31
Number of General inspections carried
out on time.
167 276 
Table 9. Service Standards for Traffic Signals 2024/25 (APSE Data)
Service Measured By EAC Achieved SAC Achieved 
Safety Time to repair a 2 hours Urgent fault and
48 Hours Non Urgent fault.
93.5% 96.2%

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06.1 Road Condition Indicators
The road network represents the Councils’ single largest asset and therefore regular and adequate
maintenance is vital to ensure it does not deteriorate or become dangerous, and that considerable
past investment is not lost. Ayrshire Roads Alliance monitor the deterioration in our road network
via the Scottish Road Condition Maintenance Survey (SRMCS).
The Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey, which is organised by the Society of Chief
Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) on behalf of Local Authorities, is carried out by a
specialist contractor, WDM Ltd, using vehicles accredited annually by the TRL. The vehicles are
equipped with lasers and high resolution cameras, to collect data for processing by computer and
currently record:-
 Location;
 The road geometry (gradient and shape);
 Variations in the longitudinal profile (evenness of ride along the road);
 Transverse profile variance (deformation across the road);
 Wheel track rutting / deformation in the wheel path;
 The presence of cracking within the carriageway;
 Texture (roughness of the surface of the road);
 The extent of edge deterioration (due to over-riding or lack of lateral support).
The survey covers 100% of A Class roads in one direction each year, 50% of B Class & C Class
roads in one direction each year, and 10% of U Class roads in one direction each year. In order
to minimise the effect of sampling errors on the result, the Road Condition Indicator (RCI) for
unclassified roads is calculated from four years data.
The tables below summarise the data for East Ayrshire Council, and for South Ayrshire Council
when compared to the thirty two Scottish Councils.

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Table 10. East Ayrshire Council Road Condition Indicators (RCI) 
2019/21 2020/22 2021/23 2022/24 2023/25
Network RCI 36.8% 33.8% 33.5% 33.0% 31.7%
Scotland
Average RCI 35.5% 34.2% 33.6% 34.1% 34.7%
Above / Below
Scotland
Average
+1.3 -0.4 -0.1 -1.1% -3.0%
Quartile 3 3 3 3 2
Ranking (out of
32 Councils) 22nd  18th = 20th 18th 12th 
Table 11. South Ayrshire Council Road Condition Indicators (RCI) 
2019/21 2020/22 2021/23 2022/24 2023/25
Network RCI 40.9% 39.0% 37.4% 35.0% 34.0%
Scotland
Average RCI 35.5% 34.2% 33.6% 34.1% 34.7%
Above / Below
Scotland
Average
+5.4 +4.8 +3.8 -0.9% -0.7%
Quartile 4 4 4 3 3
Ranking (out of
32 Councils) 27th  27th  26th 24th 20th

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07. Financial Summary
07.1. How is the Roads Service Funded?
There are 32 Local Authority councils in Scotland. Each council is responsible for a range of
services, including roads, schools, housing, education, social work, street lighting, refuse
collection, elections, and planning. Each council is responsible for allocating budgets to the various
service areas. 
Councils get their budgets, primarily from four sources that include: -
 Service Income. This is income that councils receive;
 Scottish Government capital expenditure and revenue expenditure grants;
 Council tax;
 Non domestic rates. 
07.2 Differences between Expenditure and Capital Expenditure
Councils meet the costs of their statutory and discretionary services through a combination of
revenue and capital expenditure: - 
 Revenue expenditure covers day to day costs required to manage a service. These
costs include items such as salaries, pensions, rent, and electricity bills. Revenue
expenditure, specifically for a Roads department, also covers items such as winter
maintenance, grass cutting, gully cleansing and pothole repairs. 
 Capital expenditure relates to investments in assets such as buildings and roads
infrastructure. Capital expenditure varies between individual councils. This is due to the
particular services each authority provides and the distinctive nature of their local
economies. Capital expenditure, for a Roads department includes costs for projects
that include roads and footway resurfacing schemes, street lighting replacement
schemes, replacing structures, or replacing/ installing vehicle restraint systems (VRS).

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07.3. Asset Valuation
As of 31st March 2024, the Roads assets are valued as follows: -
Table 12. East Ayrshire Council Asset Valuation as of 31st March 2025 
(Data from Asset Valuation Summary Output, Table 1.2)
Asset Type
Gross
Replacement Cost
£'000
Depreciated
Replacement Cost
£'000 
Annualised
Depreciation
Charge £'000
Carriageway £1,323,840 £1,124,717 £22,698
Footway £119,501 £70,615 £2,384
Structures £205,519 £165,934 £2,012
Street Lighting £48,999 £23,458 £1,168
Street Furniture £12,388 £6,168 £584
Traffic Management
Systems £10,004 £6,268 £464
Land £139,678    
Total £1,859,929 £1,397,160 £29,309

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Table 13 South Ayrshire Council Asset Valuation as of 31st March 2025 
(Data from Asset Valuation Summary Output, Table 1.2)
Asset Type
Gross
Replacement Cost
£'000
Depreciated
Replacement Cost
£'000 
Annualised
Depreciation
Charge £'000
Carriageway £1,067,408 £898,867 £15,075
Footway £115,952 £70,676 £2,423
Structures £97,948 £89,668 £652
Street Lighting £42,460 £21,722 £977
Street Furniture £3,475 £1,747 £172
Traffic Management
Systems £8,948 £5,774 £364
Land £231,510    
Total £1,567,700 £1,087,796 £21,789

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07.4. Historical Expenditure
Historical expenditure on the Road Asset over the last five financial years is shown for East
Ayrshire Council, and for South Ayrshire Council in tables below. 
* The historical expenditure data, from APSE, for 2024/25 will not be available until September 2025.   
Table 14. East Ayrshire Council Historical Expenditure 
Asset Works
Historical Expenditure (£’000)
2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24
Carriageways Capital £5,380 £4,659 £4,907 £2,994 £3,194
Revenue £1,261 £1,031 £1,157 £1,557 £2,058
Footways Capital £243 £81 £155 £188 £161
Revenue £86 £75 £135 £187 £217
Structures Routine &
Reactive £104 £111 £172 £1,241 £1,170
Planned £711 £882 £976 £434 £153
Street
Lighting
Energy Costs £1,020 £978 £1,004 £926 £1,312
Routine &
Reactive £246 £239 £293 £283 £306
Planned £273 £340 £715 £828 £1,125
Traffic
Signals
Routine,
Planned &
Reactive
£49 £220 £448 £102 £78 
Total £9,373 £8,616 £9,962 £8,740 £9,774

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Table 15. South Ayrshire Council Historical expenditure
Asset Works
Historical Expenditure (£’000)
2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24
Carriageways Capital £2,091 £2,971 £2,548 £2,864 £4,494
Revenue £1,980 £1,590 £2,242 £1,247 £1,579
Footways Capital £36 £0 £262 £130 £200
Revenue £230 £153 £234 £255 £282
Structures Routine &
Reactive £35 £48 £26 £120 £108
Planned £112 £167 £177 £404 £45
Street Lighting Energy
Costs £773 £634 £545 £546 £1,063
Routine &
Reactive £201 £152 £266 £357 £326
Planned £1,797 £294 £410 £317 £212
Traffic Signals
Routine,
Planned &
Reactive £194 £227 £261 £320 £47
Total £7,449 £6,236 £6,971 £6,560 £8,356 
* The historical expenditure data, from APSE. for 2024/25 will not be available until September 2025.

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07.5. Planned Funding
Table 16. East Ayrshire Council Planned Capital Funding – 2025/26 to 2030/31 
2024/25
(£M)
2025/26
(£M)
2026/27
(£M)
2027/28
(£M)
2028/29
(£M)
2029/30
(£M)
2030/31
(£M)
TOTAL
(£m)
Roads &
Transportation
Programme
3.878 3.050 3.050 3.050 3.050 3.050 2.872 22.000
Bridge Improvement
Programme
2.400 3.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 13.400
Total 6.278 6.550 4.550 4.550 4.550 4.550 4.372 35.400

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Table 17. South Ayrshire Council Capital Investment Budgets 2024/25 to 2033/34 
2025/26
(£m)
2026/27
(£m)
2027/28
(£m)
2028/29
(£m)
2029/30
(£m)
2030/31
(£m)
2031/32
(£m)
2032/33
(£m)
2033/34
(£m)
2034/35
(£m)
Roads
Reconstruction
1.581 2.500 2.500 2.500 2.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 2.500
Street lighting 0.150 0.150 - - - - - - - -
LED Replacement - - 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 - - - -
Bridges Capital 0.600 - - - - - - - - -
Victoria Bridge 0.281 - - - - - - - - -
Millennium and
Craigholm Bridges
0.145 0.145 - - - - - - - -
C12 Dunure Slope
Stabilisation
0.130 - - - - - - - - -

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Table 17. South Ayrshire Council Capital Investment Budgets 2024/25 to 2033/34 
2025/26
(£m)
2026/27
(£m)
2027/28
(£m)
2028/29
(£m)
2029/30
(£m)
2030/31
(£m)
2031/32
(£m)
2032/33
(£m)
2033/34
(£m)
2034/35
(£m)
Vehicle Restraint
Barriers
0.073 0.050 0.050 0.050 - - - - - -
Cattle Grid
Renewal
0.033 0.033 0.033 - - - - - - -
Total 2.993 2.878 2.608 2.575 2.525 1.525 1.500 1.500 1.500 2.500

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08. Asset Investment Strategies
Managing Assets in a controlled manner optimises cost and risk, allowing timely and fact based
decisions and delivers value in meeting our objectives. 
08.1. Road Condition Indicator Backlog
W.D.M. Limited for Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, on behalf of all 32
Councils in Scotland, carry out condition surveys of all roads. This is known as the Scottish Roads
Maintenance Condition Survey (SRMCS) contract. The contract, awarded in 2018, for four years
(with possible three year extension) involves surveying all classes of road at differing frequencies
with a specialist vehicle.
A Road Condition Index (RCI) is calculated for every 10 metre subsection of the road that has been
surveyed. There are five parameters that data is gathered for. These are: -
 Rut depth;
 Texture Depth;
 3m Longitudinal Profile Variance;
 10m Longitudinal Profile Variance;
 Whole Carriageway Cracking Intensity. 
Each 10 metre subsection of road network surveyed is given an overall Road Condition Indicator
(RCI) score dependent on the survey readings of these five parameters. Only the highest of the 3
metre or 10 metre Profile Variance scores contribute to the overall RCI score. The SRMCS
Performance Indicator is made up from the total proportion of a network that is above or equal to an
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Traffic light colours, Green, Amber and Red have been assigned to different RCI bands as shown
below:
➢ Green - A Road Condition Indicator score < 40 - Carriageway is generally in a good state
of repair;
➢ Amber – A Road Condition Indicator score ≥ 40 and <100 - Some deterioration is apparent
which should be investigated to determine the optimum time for planned maintenance
treatment;
➢ Red – A Road Condition Indicator score ≥ 100 - Carriageway is in poor overall condition
which is likely to require planned maintenance soon (i.e. within a year or so).
The SRMCS Performance Indicator score is made up of all the 10 metre subsections that are in an
amber or red condition. The table below shows the backlog (defined as the carriageway maintenance
funding required to treat all 10 metre subsections in the amber or red annual performance indicator
category). 
Table 20. Network RCI Data for East Ayrshire Council & for South Ayrshire Council
Authority RCI 
2018 - 20
RCI 
2019 - 21
RCI 
2020 - 22
RCI
2021 - 23
RCI
2022 - 24
RCI
2023 - 25
RCI
2022/24
to
2023/25
EAC 37.8% 36.8% 33.3% 33.5% 33.0% 31.7% -1.3%
SAC 40.6% 40.9% 39.0% 37.4% 35.5% 34.0% -1.5% 
The headline backlog budget, from the 2023 SCOTS Backlog & Steady State Model Report (SCOTS
Report), is defined as the carriageway maintenance funding required to treat all 10 metre
subsections in an amber or red condition within one year.  This can be thought of as achieving a
network free from carriageway defects exceeding the lower threshold levels. It is not a network free
from any defects because it will allow, for example, rut depths up to 10mm, and texture depths down
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To treat all the amber and red in one year would not be a practical maintenance option due to the
disruption it would cause, but the figure does allow a comparative budgetary valuation to be
calculated which can be monitored on an on-going basis.
From the SCOTS Report, the headline backlog for 2023 was £53,051,000 for East Ayrshire Council
and is £50,601,000 for South Ayrshire Council.
The average annual budget calculated in the models for each authority, to maintain the SCOTS
Report Steady State RCI scores, excludes any allowance for inflation or discount levels over the
next ten-year period. 
To maintain the RCI’s, from the 2023 SCOTS Report, of 33.5, for East Ayrshire Council, and 37.4,
for South Ayrshire Council, the following steady state carriageway surfacing budgets would require
to be allocated: -
➢ East Ayrshire Council - £8,477,000;
➢ South Ayrshire Council - £6,786,000.
If the Councils do not maintain the above steady state expenditure over the next ten years, for
carriageway surfacing, then the carriageway asset will deteriorate, resulting in an increase in the
overall network Road Condition Indicator (RCI).

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09. Risk Management
09.1. Risk Management Introduction
The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 Section 1, states that “…a local roads authority shall manage and
maintain all such roads in their area as are for the time being entered in a list (in this Act referred to
as their “list of public roads”) prepared and kept by them under this section.”
Road Authorities have a Duty of Care under Common Law. The criteria commonly used by the
Courts to determine if a defendant is liable are:
1. The harm which occurred must be a reasonable foreseeable result of the defendant's
conduct;
 Was the authority aware of the defect?
 Was the route inspected within assigned timescales?
 Experience of similar defects and the deterioration/degradation rates?  Will the defect
deterioration/degradation cause the likelihood and/or impact of the defect to increase
before the next inspection?
 Has there been similar incidents on the authorities’ network or is the authority aware
of similar incidents occurring?
2. It is fair, just and reasonable to impose liability.
 Did the authority assess, prioritise and maintain the defect in accordance with their
Maintenance Strategy/Manual or equivalent documents?
 What was the defect risk and priority?
 If necessary, what action(s) had been taken to repair the defect? Timescale for the
repair?
 Was the defect repaired within specified timescales? 
Road Authorities must ensure that their Inspectors are competent. Ayrshire Roads Alliance safety
inspectors are therefore required to undertake the SCOTS Risk-based Approach to Safety Defect
Inspections methodology training and achieve a pass grade on the course assessment.

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The Safety Inspection regime forms a key aspect of the road authority’s strategy for managing liability
and risk. The objectives of safety inspection activity are to:
 Minimise the risk of injury and disruption to road users as far as is reasonably
practicable;
 Provide a regular, structured inspection of the public road network, within available
resources;
 Deliver a consistent, reliable response to identified defects, within available
resources;
 Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of inspections and response and;
 Provide a clear, accurate and comprehensive response to claims.
The Ayrshire Roads Alliance, since the 1st April 2019, has adopted the SCOTS Risk Based Approach
that promotes a consistency in the management of the road network by focusing on delivering a
programme of permanent repairs to improve its condition and safety.  
The methodology, for this risk based approach, is covered by the “Road Asset Inspections: A Risk
Based Approach – Safety Inspection Strategy Manual”, which has been approved by the Ayrshire
Shared Services Joint Committee.
A Risk Based Approach is also recommended by the Institute of Highway Engineers in their guidance
on managing risk and liability, ‘Well Managed Highway Liability Risk’.

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09.2. Safety Inspection Strategy
The Road Safety Inspection Strategy was developed, and is maintained, utilising best practices as
specified within the Well Managed Highways Code of Practice along with the SCOTS Roads Asset
Management Planning Project.
Councils continue to face year on year budget reductions with inevitable impact on roads
maintenance budget allocations. Budgets, for roads maintenance must be targeted in the most
efficient manner possible in order to manage our road network efficiently, effectively and to minimise
deteriorating condition.
Taking a risk based approach, as per the above code of practice, means that there are NO
prescriptive investigation or intervention levels to apply. The rationale for removing these is that the
same defect will represent a different level of risk in a different context. Previously, this has led to
inappropriate and often unnecessary, costly, temporary repairs. Instead, by using a risk based
approach, councils can reduce such reactive interventions and target more of their scarce resources
towards programmed work that in the longer term will lead to an overall improvement of road
condition.
The primary aim of the Roads Asset Inspection Strategy is providing operational guidance to those
officers involved in managing and undertaking road asset safety inspections. This is in order to
ensure a consistent approach by utilising a formalised system that prescribes the frequency of
inspections as well as the method of assessing, recording and responding to defects in the road
asset.
The safety inspection strategy requires several key steps, explained in detail within this document.
They are:

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Road hierarchy forms the foundation of a
risk based maintenance strategy; crucial for
establishing service levels and network
management. 
Define the physical routes of inspection, the
standard frequencies and modes of
inspection (driven/walked etc.). 
A methodology inspectors can follow to
assess defects to determine the level of risk
and priority of response. 
Assign an appropriate safety level of
response (time and type) to each prioritised
category of risk. 
Establish procedures for documenting
safety Inspections and other key
information such as inspector training and
competency records. 
Regularly monitor and review the Safety
Inspection strategy and its operation. 
FIGURE 8: Strategy Key Steps

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The Safety Inspection Strategy Manual has a number of sections that include: - 
➢ Safety Inspection Procedures;
o Planned Cyclic Safety Inspections;
o Reactive Safety Inspections (Ad hoc);
o Road Condition inspections;
o Inspections of Utility Works and Third Party Works;
o Service Inspections.
➢ Items for Inspection
o Carriageways;
o Footways, Footpaths & Cycleways;
o Street Furniture;
o Street Lighting;
o Others.
➢ Methodology
o Hierarchy;
o Inspection Frequencies;
o Inspection Tolerances;
o Defect Risk Assessment;
o Utility Company Defects;
o Priority Response Times.
➢ Meeting Response Times

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09.3. Risk Strategy
09.3.1. Defect Risk Assessment
The Ayrshire Roads Alliance Road Asset Management Safety Inspection Strategy document assists
in specifying what is inspected, the prioritisation of risks, and inspection frequencies, in order to
reduce overall risks to acceptable levels. The procedure for risk assessment is as follows:
➢ Risk Identification 
An inspection item for which the inspector identifies a hazard is to be identified as a risk. The
types of asset to be inspected and the potential associated hazards from defects are detailed
in the Inspectors Operations Manual.
➢ Risk Evaluation 
All risks identified through this process must be evaluated in terms of their significance which
means assessing the likelihood of the risk happening and the likely impact should the risk
occur.
➢ Risk Likelihood
The probability of a risk occurring will be quantified on a scale of Remote to Almost Certain
assessed as follows: 
Table 21. Risk Likelihood
Likelihood /
Probability Likelihood Description
Almost Certain Will undoubtedly happen Daily
Likely Will probably happen, but not a persistent
issue  Monthly
Possible May happen occasionally  Annually
Unlikely Not expected to happen, but it is possible 10 years
Remote Improbable  20 years

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The probability of a risk occurring will also be quantified by assessing how many users are likely to
pass by or over the defect and consequently the network hierarchy and defect location are important
considerations in the assessment.
The Risk Matrix for deciding each of the risk factors (Likelihood x Severity) in a 5 by 5 matrix are
illustrated in the table below:- 
Table 22. Impact/ Severity Score 
Description
Consequence
(Impact /
Severity)
Impact on
Service
Objectives
Financial Impact Impact on
people
Impact on
Reputation
Catastrophic
Unable to
function, inability
to fulfil obligations
Severe 
financial loss  Death
Highly damaging,
severe loss of
public confidence
Major
Significant impact
on services
provision
Major 
financial loss
Extensive injury,
major permanent
harm
Major adverse
publicity, major
loss of confidence
Moderate
Service
objectives
partially
achievable
Significant 
financial loss
Medical treatment
required, semi-
permanent harm 
up to 1 year
Some adverse
publicity, legal
implications
Minor Minor impact on
service objectives
Moderate
financial loss
First aid
treatment, non-
permanent harm
up to 1 month
Some public
embarrassment,
no damage to
reputation
Negligible
Minimal impact,
no service
disruption
Minimal
financial loss
No obvious
harm/injury
No interest to the
press, internal
only

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The risk factor for a particular risk is the product of the risk impact and risk. It is this factor that
identifies the overall seriousness of the risk and consequently therefore the appropriateness of the
speed of response to remedy the defect. Accordingly, the priority response time for dealing with a
defect can be determined by correlation with the risk factor as shown in the risk matrix, below. 
Table 23. Risk Matrix
CONSEQUENCE 
LIKLIEHOOD
1
(NEGLIGIBLE)
2
(MINOR)
3
(MODERATE)
4
(MAJOR)
5
(CATASTROPHIC)
1 (REMOTE) No Response No Response No Response No Response P3
2 (UNLIKELY) No Response No Response P4 P4 P3
3 (POSSIBLE No Response P4 P4 P3 P2
4 (LIKELY) No Response P4 P3 P2 P1
5 (ALMOST
CERTAIN) No Response P3 P2 P1 P1 
Having identified a particular risk, assessed its likely impact and probability, and calculated the risk
factor, the risk management procedure can be shown in the form of a risk management (response)
matrix.
Table 24. Risk Management Matrix
RISK CATEGORY PRIORITY RESPONSE
Critical Risk Priority 1 Response (P1)
High Risk Priority 2 Response (P2)
Medium Risk Priority 3 Response (P3)
Low Risk Priority 4 Response (P4)
Negligible Risk No Response (NR)

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For defects located where carriageway and/or footway hierarchies intersect, for example at pelican
or zebra crossings, or other defined crossing points at junctions, the hierarchy of the route with the
most frequent inspection category will always take precedence in determining defect definition and
responses. This principle will also apply to intersections between carriageways and cycle routes and
between cycleways and footways and footpaths. 
09.3.2. Priority Response Times
The Priority Response times, for each Defect Category, are shown in the table below. 
Table 25. Defect Priority and Response Times
Defect
Priority P1 P2 P3 P4 NR
Response
Time 2 Hours 5 Working Days 45 Working Days Programmed
Work
No Action
Required 
Priority 1:  Make safe within 2 hours
Represent a critical risk to road users and should be corrected or made safe at the time of inspection,
if reasonably practicable. In this context, making safe may constitute displaying warning signs and /
or coning off to protect the public from the defect. Where reasonably practicable, safety defects of
this Priority should not be left unattended until made safe or, a temporary or permanent repair has
been carried out.
When a Priority 1 defect is identified within a larger group / area of defects, only that particular
element will be treated as a Priority 1 defect. The remaining defects will be categorised accordingly. 
Priority 2: Repair within 5 Working Days.
This allows a more proactive approach to be adopted for those defects that represent a high risk to
road users or because there is a risk of short-term structural deterioration. Such defects may have
safety implications, although of a lesser significance than Priority 1 defects, but are more likely to
have serviceability or sustainability implications.

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Priority 3: Action within 45 Working Days.
Defects that require attention although they represent a medium risk to road users. This allows
defects of this nature to be included in medium term programmes of work. 
Priority 4: Consider for Planned Works Programme
The defect is considered to be of low risk; no immediate response is required. Defects in Priority 4
are not classed as safety defects and are collected to assist the development and prioritisation of
Planned Maintenance Works Programmes. 
NR:   No Action Required
The defect is considered to be of negligible risk, no intervention is required and monitoring will
continue as per the inspection regime.

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10. Glossary
10.1. Abbreviations
Table 26. Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
AADF Annual Average Daily Flow: The average over a full year of the number of
vehicles passing a point in the road network each day
ACoP Approved Code of Practice. 
ADC Annualised Depreciation Cost. 
AMP Asset Management Plan. 
APSE The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE): (APSE Provides
performance data collation and reporting services for SCOTS). 
ARA Ayrshire Roads Alliance. 
BCI Bridge Condition Indicator. 
BSClav Average Bridge Stock Condition Indicator. 
BSClcrit Critical Bridge Stock Condition Indicator. 
CBM Cement Bound Macadam (now more commonly known as Cement Bound
Granular Material – CBGM). 
CBGM Cement Bound Granular Material. Previously known as CBM. 
CIPFA Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants. 
CSS County Surveyors Society. 
CVI Coarse Visual Inspection.

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Table 26. Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
DRC Depreciated Replacement Cost. Depreciated replacement cost of an asset
is the current cost to replace the asset less accumulated depreciation. 
DVI Detailed Visual Inspection. 
EAC East Ayrshire Council. Link to website: - https://www.east-
ayrshire.gov.uk/Home.aspx 
FRMP Flood Risk Management Plan. FRMPs are plans to manage the risk of
flooding for people, the economy and the environment, including cultural
heritage. 
GIS Geographic Information System. 
GRC Gross Replacement Cost. The financial cost to build the assets from new. 
HBM Hydraulically Bound Material. Mixtures that set and harden by hydraulic
reaction. They include Cement Bound Materials and slow setting and
hardening mixtures from industrial by products such as fly ash and ground
granulated blast furnace slag. 
HIAMS Highways Infrastructure Asset Management System.
HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle. 
HVO Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil. 
IA Improvement Action. 
KPI Key Performance Indicator. 
LCP Lifecycle Plan. 
LFRMP Local Flood Risk Management Plan. A LFRMP presents actions to avoid
and reduce the risk of flooding, and prepare and protect us, and our
communities, within these potentially vulnerable areas and across the
Local Plan District.

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Table 26. Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
LTP Local Transport Plan. 
LTS Local Transport Strategy. 
NRMCS National Roads Maintenance Condition Survey. 
NRSWA New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. 
PMS Pavement Management System. 
RAMP Road Asset Management Plan.
RAUC(S) Roads Authorities and Utilities Committee (Scotland).
RCI Road Condition Indicator.
RMS Roads Management System.
RQP Reinstatement Quality Plan. Reinstatement Quality Plans provide a way for
organisations to demonstrate their competence to execute road works and
an ongoing commitment to improving quality through having effective
quality control processes in place to ensure standards are met. 
Reinstatement Quality Plans (RQPs) must cover all works that involve
excavation and reinstatement of the road. The plan should cover all aspects
of the works, not just the reinstatement. Undertakers cannot legally start
works without a plan in place. 
RQPs must detail the processes, performance management, evidence
gathering and retention policies specific to your works. Evidence must
demonstrate that plans are being adhered to. 
SAC South Ayrshire Council. Link to website: - https://www.south-
ayrshire.gov.uk/

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Table 26. Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
SCANNER Surface Condition Assessment of the National Network of Roads. Objective
method to assess the surface and structural condition of carriageways. 
SCOTS Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland. A strategic body that
represents Scotland’s 32 Roads Authorities and 7 Regional Transport
Partnerships. 
SCRIM Sideways Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine. The wet skidding
resistance of a road surface is measured that allows an organisation to
know if a road surface has reached levels requiring intervention. Measuring
SCRIM allows for reduced accident rates.
SEPA Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. A non-departmental public
body of the Scottish Government whose role is to ensure that the
environment and human health are protected, to ensure that Scotland’s
natural resources and services are used as sustainably as possible and to
contribute to sustainable economic growth. Link to the SEPA website: - 
https://www.sepa.org.uk/. 
SMP Shoreline Management Plan. A large-scale assessment of the risks
associated with coastal processes and helps to reduce these risks to
people and the developed, historic and natural environment. The plans
intent is to facilitate the management of risks through use of a range of
methods that reflect both national and local priorities. 
SRMCS Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey. The Scottish Road
Maintenance Condition Survey is an annual survey which assesses the
condition of the Scottish public road network. This includes both Council
and Trunk Roads. It is used to calculate a Road Condition Indicator (RCI)
that is used by Audit Scotland as a Statutory Performance Indicator (SPI)
for reporting road condition. 
SRWR Scottish Road Works Register. A web based system used for the
management, and coordination of road works, events and road
occupations throughout Scotland. 
SPI Statutory Performance Indicator. Each council reports a range of
measurable performance indicators, to demonstrate that it is securing best
value, by comparing indicators with similar Councils.

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Table 26. Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
TRL TRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Transport Research Foundation
(TRF), a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, and
established for the impartial furtherance of transport and related research,
consultancy, and expert advice. 
TRO Traffic Regulation Order. A legal tool that allows a Roads Authority to
restrict, regulate or prevent the use of a road. A road may include a
carriageway, footway, footpath & verge. 
A TRO may be permanent, temporary, experimental, or may be imposed
to allow for the holding of a special event. 
UKPMS United Kingdom Pavement Management System. The UKPMS is the
standard system for the assessment of the condition of the UK road
network and for planning investment and maintenance on paved
carriageways, (also footways and cycle-tracks) within the UK. 
Vehicle
mile/kilometre
Used when carrying out traffic counts on roads. One vehicle times one
mile/km travelled (vehicle miles/km are calculated by multiplying the AADF
by the corresponding length of road). For example, 1 vehicle travelling 1
mile a day for a year would be 365 vehicle miles. This is sometimes known
as the volume of traffic. 
WDM  W.D.M. Ltd. - Highways asset management software systems provider.
WGA Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) combines the audited accounts of
over 10,000 organisations across the UK public sector in order to produce
a comprehensive, accounts-based picture of the financial position of the
UK public sector. 
WLC Whole Life Costing. A tool which assesses the total cost of an asset over
its whole life. It takes account of the initial capital cost, as well as
operational, maintenance, repair, upgrade and eventual disposal costs.

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10.2. Main Definitions
Table 27.  Definitions
Term Definition
Adopted Road Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 Section 151, Public roads,
(sometimes called adopted roads), are those that sit on a roads authority
(local authority) list of roads that are maintainable at public expense. 
Annualised
Depreciation
The cost of annual deterioration of the road network if no maintenance
works are carried out.
Asset Management Asset management involves the balancing of costs, opportunities and risks
against the desired performance of assets to achieve an organisation's
objectives. 
Asset management also enables an organisation to examine the need
for and performance of assets and asset systems at different levels.
Additionally, it enables the application of analytical approaches towards
managing an asset over the different stages of its life cycle (which can start
with the conception of the need for the asset, through to its disposal, and
includes the managing of any potential post disposal liabilities).
Asset management is the art and science of making the right decisions and
optimising the delivery of value. A common objective is to minimise the
whole life cost of assets but there may be other critical factors such as risk
or business continuity to be considered objectively in this decision making.
Asset Valuation The calculation of the current monetary value of an authority’s assets.
Depreciation The systematic allocation of the depreciable amount of an asset over its
useful life arising from use, ageing, deterioration or obsolescence.
Depreciated
Replacement Cost
Method of valuation which provides the current cost of replacing as asset
with its modern equivalent asset less deductions for all physical
deterioration and all relevant forms of obsolescence and optimisation.

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Table 27.  Definitions
Term Definition
Gross Replacement
Cost
The monetary cost of replacing the existing asset with a modern equivalent
asset.
Levels of Service Parameters, or combination of parameters, which reflect social, political,
environmental and economic outcomes that the organisation delivers. 
The level of service statements define how the stakeholders wish that
service to be delivered. The level of service statements become the
justification for funding necessary to deliver the service.
In other words, it’s a way for an organisation to define, capture, and gain
value from its assets.
Levels of Service can be grouped into three categories:
Operational: For example, is the asset clean and well looked after? Is the
paintwork in good condition? Is the asset accessible to the people who
need it?
Service Provision: Is the asset portfolio large enough to serve the
stakeholder requirements? Are there enough of these assets available for
stakeholder needs? Is it fit for purpose?
Implementation: When building a new asset will its capacity be suitable for
the foreseeable future? Or will it have excess capacity that’s not needed –
or will it be far too small? 
Lifecycle Plan Document defining the standards applied to an asset and detailing the
management processes used to deliver those standards.
Public Realm Publicly owned streets, pathways, right of ways, parks, publicly available
open spaces; all areas to which the public has open access.
Public Road A “Public Road” means a road which a roads authority have a duty to
maintain.

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Table 27.  Definitions
Term Definition
Private Road A “Private Road” means any road other than a public road.  There is still a
public right of passage although the maintenance responsibility lies with the
owner, frontager or others.
Roads Authority Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 Section 151 a Roads Authority may
be a Council, or a Trunk Roads Operating company (who maintain roads
on behalf of Transport Scotland).
Road Infrastructure
Assets
An authority’s portfolio of road assets including adopted roads (excluding
private roads), segregated footpaths and cycle routes, structures, lighting,
traffic management systems, etc. Together they function as a system or
network which as a whole is intended to be maintained at a specified Level
of Service (assessed through performance measures) by the continuing
replacement and refurbishment of its assets and elements.
Section 7 Agreement The Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968, Section 7 allows roads authorities
(including Transport Scotland) and Scottish Water to enter into
agreements as to the provision, management, maintenance or use
of their sewers or drains for the conveyance of water from the surface
of a road or surface water from premises.
Statutory
Undertakers
Various companies and agencies with legal rights to carry out works on the
road.

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11. References
 Well Managed Highway Infrastructure - A Code of Practice
 Roads Asset Management Framework - Recommended Practices
 EAC Policy documents
 SAC Policy documents
 Maintenance Documents
 WDM Roads Routine Maintenance System
 Roads Asset Management Policy
 Ayrshire Roads Alliance - Road Asset Safety Inspection Strategy Document April
2019
 Ayrshire Roads Alliance - Road Safety Inspector Operations Manual April 2019
 Ayrshire Roads Alliance Service Plan 2022/ 2023 
 Design Manual for Roads & Bridges. GM701 Asset Delivery Asset Maintenance
Requirements
 Performance Report – APSE/SCOTS Results
 Roads Asset Valuation Report - provides information on data used in the valuation,
methods of calculation and interpretation of results
 Annual Status & Options Report (ASOR) - provides a summary of the status of each
asset group in meeting service standards and a prediction of condition based on
varying investment levels
 Just Transition Commission. A National Mission for a Fairer, Greener Scotland (
Just Transition Commission Executive Summary (www.gov.scot) )
 Sustainable Health Equity: Achieving a Net Zero UK (UCL) - Sustainable Health
Equity: Achieving a Net Zero UK (UCL) - Climate Change Committee
(theccc.org.uk)
 United Nations COP27 website - COP27: Delivering for people and the planet |
United Nations
 United Nations COP28 website - COP28 UAE - United Nations Climate Change
Conference
 United Nations Conference of the parties (COP) website -
https://unfccc.int/process/bodies/supreme-bodies/conference-of-the-parties-cop

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 Cycle 1 Solway Local Flood Risk Management Plan LPD14 -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Information-On/Information-on-
Flooding.aspx
 Cycle 2 Solway Local Flood Risk Management Plan LPD 14 -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Information-On/Information-on-
Flooding.aspx
 Cycle 1 Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan LPD 12 -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Information-On/Information-on-
Flooding.aspx
 Cycle 2 Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan LPD 12 -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Information-On/Information-on-Flooding.aspx
 Scotland’s Wellbeing: The Impact of COVID-19 - Scotland's Wellbeing: The Impact
of COVID-19 | National Performance Framework
 Ayrshire Roads Alliance Winter Service Plan 2022/23 -
https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.org/Resources/pdf/Winter-and-gritting/WINTER-
SERVICE-PLAN-2022-23.pdf
 Road Asset Inspections: A Risk Based Approach – Safety Inspection Strategy
Manual
 Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics 2020 (Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics 2020
(www.gov.scot) )
 Twenty Minute Neighbourhoods in a Scottish Context ( 20 minute neighbourhoods in
a Scottish context (climatexchange.org.uk) )
 Scotland, Let’s Do Net Zero (https://www.netzeronation.scot/ )
 Local Government Information Unit ( https://lgiu.org/perspectives-on-the-20-minute-
neighbourhood-progress-around-the-world/ )
 Marine Scotland. Coastal erosion and flood risk management.
https://marine.gov.scot/sma/assessment/coastal-erosion-and-flood-risk-
management
 Dynamic Coast. https://www.dynamiccoast.com/
 Highways – Maintaining a Vital Asset. What Should Councillors Know About Asset
Management? https://www.ciht.org.uk/media/11809/highways-maintaining-a-vital-
asset-what-should-councillors-know-about-asset-management-pdf-4pages-
148kb.pdf
 Managing a valuable asset: improving local road condition. All Party Parliamentary
Group on Highway Maintenance. https://www.appg-betterroads.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/07/APPG_Report_-_Managing_a_valuable_asset.pdf
 https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/fgyfwlpi/chapter-summary-scottish-transport-
statistics-2024.pdf

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 https://roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk/regions/3
 https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/2fsn3zku/key-reported-road-casualties-
scotland-2024.pdf
 https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/981831493278252684/pdf/114641-
WP-ClimateAdaptationandAMSSFinal-PUBLIC.pdf
 Institute of Asset Management. – “Asset Management – An Anatomy” -
https://theiam.org/knowledge-library/asset-management-an-anatomy/
 Global Forum on Maintenance & Asset Management – “The Asset Management
Landscape, Third Edition” - https://theiam.org/knowledge-library/the-asset-
management-landscape/
 Institute of Asset Management – “An Introduction to Asset Management” -
https://theiam.org/knowledge-library/an-introduction-to-asset-management/