There is no target for ending the backlog of repairs

The sum is said to only apply to roadways and does not cover trunk roads, motorways, footways, bridges or street lights.

The figure has been revealed in a report by Scotland's local authority transport bosses which argues for more "stitch in time" spending on roads now, in order to lessen the need for expensive reconstruction at a later date.

Details of the report were explained to Holyrood's Local Government and Transport Committee on Tuesday.

In a separate submission to the committee, the Automobile Association (AA) has complained of the state of the road network.

It accused the executive of a "fundamental" policy flaw by not having a target similar to Westminster's commitment to end a backlog of local road repairs in England by 2010.

Neil Greig, head of policy for the AA in Scotland, called for the executive to adopt a similar target by a set date, such as 2015.

He also called for a road maintenance funding programme based on needs and for cash to councils to be earmarked strictly for road spending.

Our opinion surveys have placed road condition as the third most important issue for Scottish drivers after congestion and cost of motoring Neil Greig, AA

"Scots also rate the condition of their roads as worse than their English counterparts."

The evidence to the committee from the local authority transport chiefs followed detailed analysis by their professional body, the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland (Scots).

Currently about �300m a year is spent annually on Scotland's road system.

The report calls for extra funding to be made available now rather than waiting five years for a full round of surveying to take place.

Estimating that the full backlog could take �1bn to clear, the report states: "The Scottish local roads authorities would welcome the same commitment to arrest the decline and address the backlog of road maintenance in Scotland that was given by the Department for Transport in July 2000 for non-trunk roads in England."

The call for action over the state of Scotland's roads was echoed by Cosla, the body which represents the majority of Scotland's local authorities.

Spokeswoman Alison Magee said: "We share the frustration of the general public and the motorist on the state of our roads.

"Regrettably under funding over a sustained period has resulted in a situation whereby Scotland's roads are crying out for major capital investment.

Spend the money

"Councils have struggled for too long to try to maintain the 50,000 kilometres of roads for which we are responsible."

But the Executive defended its spending on roads and said it was up to councils to decide how to spend the money.

A spokeswoman said: "As local roads authorities each council is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the local roads in its area.