The five-yearly State of the Nation Scotland report from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Scotland grades the government’s performance in five areas of infrastructure - energy, transport, flooding, water and waste.

Released only once every Parliamentary term, the report is compiled using evidence from independent and impartial expert members and stakeholders. The Infrastructure Scorecard grades performance as follows: A (fit for the future), B (adequate for now), C (requires attention), D (at risk) and E (unfit for purpose).

The report found that the Scottish Government has major concerns to address in the area of energy, down from C in 2011 to C- now, and close to the ‘at risk’ category. It has improved its performance in the area of strategic transport infrastructure, up from a C to a B-, but that local transport infrastructure is at risk with a D+ grade.

According to ICE, a third of local roads are in an “unacceptable” condition and that maintenance is being neglected in favour of other spending. The body has recommended the re-introduction of tolls to help improve Scotland’s roads and alleviate a £2 billion maintenance backlog.

It said that despite roads receiving a “substantial share” of £14bn invested in transport since 2007, a “progressive system of road user charging” could provide long-term sustainable funding and alleviate the pressure on local authorities. Both flat fees and pay-as-you-go charges could be explored.

Flooding work has maintained a C grade while the water and waste sector continues to perform well, maintaining its 2011 B grade. The government is also improving in waste, which up from C in 2011 to C+ today.

Ronnie Hunter, chair of the State of the Nation Scotland Steering Group of ICE Scotland, said: “Any country which wants to promote economic growth and improve its citizens’ quality of life needs to maintain a high quality and resilient infrastructure.

“Our energy, transport, flooding, water and waste systems must be resilient in the face of our changing demographics and our changing climate. Our independent, expert report analyses whether or not they are.

“Our grades show that most areas of Scotland’s infrastructure require attention. Although there is some good news, such as in the areas of waste and strategic transport, there are serious question marks over the resilience of our energy and local transport infrastructure.

“To address these particular concerns, we have called for a mature and rational debate on how we generate energy, and we are also calling for the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to address the £2 billion maintenance backlog in Scotland’s local roads.

“A country cannot fully serve its people without good infrastructure. Whilst giving credit to the Scottish Government in the areas where it is deserved, it is our job to highlight those to which ministers must turn their attention with urgency if we are to have resilience and sustainability.”