Jobs at risk in new round of cuts at M8 motorway maintenance firm

The company which maintains Scotland's busiest motorways is to shed more staff in the third round of cuts since it took over the contract three years ago.

Scotland TranServ maintenance workers clear rubbish from the side of a road. Picture: Contributed

Around 30 jobs are expected to go at Scotland TranServ, which looks after trunk roads in Glasgow and across the south west, including the M8.

The move comes despite the firm’s poor operational performance, which is the worst among the companies which care for main routes for the Scottish Government.

Industry sources said difficulties had included drainage problems causing flooding on the M8 around Charing Cross in Glasgow and street lighting broken for more than a year on the M74 near Hamilton.

Scotland TranServ, which has 272 staff, made seven employees redundant last year, and around 15 in 2013.

Performance figures for last autumn, seen by The Scotsman, show Scotland TranServ had the worst overall score compared to BEAR Scotland, which runs trunk roads in north east and north west, and Amey, in the south east.

In the most recently published figures, for 2013-14, the company had the most scores marked “very poor”.

The firm, owned by Balfour Beatty and Mouchel, whose five-year contract ends in 2018, declined to comment on the drainage and lighting faults.

Its spokeswoman said performance comparisons from the 2013-14 figures were difficult because the contracts were at different stages.

She said: “A small number of staff and operatives are currently part of an ongoing consultation process, which will see a minor reduction in our head count. This reduction is in line with our current business needs and will ensure we operate more efficiently and effectively into year four of our contract.”

“Scotland TranServ continues to work with Transport Scotland to prioritise our work and get best value, with performance being continuously monitored and reviewed by the independent Performance Audit Group.”

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “We address any issues that arise with the operating company under the terms of their contract. It is for the operating company to determine the staff resources they require to fulfil their obligations, duties and meet the required contractual performance.”