£16.5m repair bill for Tayside police stations

A Perthshire MSP has described a £16.5million maintenance backlog bill for Tayside police stations as staggering.

- ALASTAIR MCNEILL

Murdo Fraser said it is “appalling” that Tayside police officers are working in unsafe buildings.

Police Scotland however pointed to a 10-year 'masterplan' to make improvements to its estate.

Tayside’s £16,577,260.50 backlog bill was obtained through a Freedom of Information request made by the Scottish Conservatives. The national repair backlog bill stands at £232m.

Mr Fraser said: “The maintenance backlog facing Tayside is absolutely staggering.

“The multi-million pound figure points to the devastating effects of years of SNP cuts and neglect of frontline policing in Tayside.

“It is appalling that hardworking officers in Tayside are being forced to work in buildings that are not fit for purpose.