Dozens of taxi drivers gathered outside Glasgow City Chambers to protest against the deplorable condition of the city's roads, which they described as "horrendous."

The drivers, claiming that their vehicles have suffered significant damage from potholes, conducted a slow drive-by while sounding their horns on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, campaigners assembled in George Square demanding that the council declare a "pothole emergency."

The council stated that it anticipates completing approximately 175 road resurfacing projects by March of this year. Last year, the authority doubled its budget for road repairs to aid surfaces in recovering from what it labeled as the most destructive winter in over a decade.

Despite this, the current winter has been relatively mild, with December temperatures in the UK above average except for northern Scotland, according to the Met Office. Consequently, the council reported that it has not observed the same surge in pothole complaints post-winter compared to the previous year.

Eddie Grice, 39, a taxi driver and the general secretary of the Scottish Private Hire Association, shared his frustration with the BBC, showcasing parts of his vehicle that have recently fallen off due to potholes. Grice described the city's roads as a "nightmare," highlighting the substantial financial toll on drivers, including himself, who have had to replace multiple tires and repair various vehicle components.

Other drivers echoed Grice's sentiments, expressing disappointment in Glasgow City Council's perceived lack of responsiveness to residents' concerns about road conditions.

As councils across Scotland prepare their budgets for the upcoming financial year, Glasgow plans to implement a council tax freeze promised by the SNP. However, this decision has raised concerns among unions, particularly regarding potential cuts to other essential services.

Jamie Canavan, founder of the campaign group Potholes Make Glasgow, emphasized the need for increased investment in road maintenance, citing safety concerns and escalating repair costs for motorists.

A city council spokesperson acknowledged the spike in pothole reports last January but noted a decrease this year. The spokesperson reiterated the council's commitment to addressing road safety issues promptly and encouraged the public to report any road faults using the MyGlasgow app or social media channels. Photo by Geof Sheppard, Wikimedia commons.