DOUGLAS Ross has accused the SNP and Greens of “continuing to hammer the motorist at every turn” as the Tory leader called for a strategy to invest in upgrades to key road.

Mr Ross was speaking as he met roads activists as part of the local elections campaign.

The North East MSP has called on plans by the SNP to introduce a commuter congestion charge in Edinburgh to be dropped, while he has demanded that workplace parking levy proposals are also ruled out.

SNP leader of Edinburgh City Council, Adam McVey, told The Herald that the congestion charge plans would see those who live outside the city charged to enter the city boundary during peak times in a bid to cut traffic and encourage people to use public transport.

Mr Ross met with campaigners in Argyll and Bute who have continually pushed for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful to be upgraded by the SNP and Greens Government.

READ MORE: SNP pledges to charge commuters to enter Edinburgh-wide congestion zone to cut traffic

He has claimed that the SNP are now being influenced by their Green partners in government at Holyrood by back pedalling on previous commitments to invest in upgrading trunk roads such as the A83 as well as the A96, A75, A77, A82, A90 and A1.

The Scottish Conservatives have made clear their opposition to the workplace parking levy – with plans for Edinburgh set to target the 200 companies with 50 spaces or more and amount to a £2 a day charge per space.

Mr Ross also hit out at funding cuts from the SNP Government to local authorities which he claimed has resulted in roads across Scotland being blighted by potholes.

Mr Ross said: “The SNP-Green coalition are continuing to hammer the motorist at every turn.

“SNP ministers are now agreeing to the demands of their extremist friends in the Greens by rowing back on previous commitments to upgrade crucial trunk roads.

“They are also happy to hit workers with an extra tax for simply driving to work.

“We now know they want to go even further in Edinburgh and hit commuters with a levy for travelling into the capital. These attacks on motorists simply cannot continue.”

He added: “For many, particularly in our rural communities like the ones I visited in Argyll and Bute, a car is a necessity not a luxury.

“SNP-Green ministers are increasingly out-of-touch with these communities who have been crying out for years for roads to be upgraded. On the SNP’s watch roads have been allowed to crumble due to savage cuts to our local authorities during their 15 years in power.

“Only voting for Scottish Conservative councillors on May 5 guarantees local representatives who will be on the side of motorists and who will push for road upgrades and repairs. They will fight for a fair funding deal for our local authorities and set aside money for a Pothole Action Fund to allow communities to call for local roads to be repaired.

“Everyone understands the need to tackle the climate emergency. However, the SNP-Green coalition’s relentless attacks on those who need to have a car for work, seeing family and carrying out other day-to-day activities is increasingly misguided.

“It is time the SNP stopped bowing to their extremist Green partners and ensure vital upgrades on Scotland’s roads finally take place.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to ensuring continued road access in and out of Argyll and Bute for the benefit of everyone who lives there, operates a business there or wants to visit the region. We are working hard to find the right short, medium and long term solutions.

“Reaching agreement for the use of the Old Military Road (OMR) provides a suitable, short-term solution. It means we can reduce the use of the alternative longer diversion, via Inverary and Crianlarich, saving travellers, especially businesses and hauliers, valuable time.

“We will continue to use the OMR until a medium and long-term solution can be implemented.

“Transport Scotland has spent over £15 million in landslide measures at the Rest and Be Thankful and they, along with the use of the OMR, have meant that the longer diversion has not had to be used since February 2021.”

SNP MSP Paul McLennan said: “This is nothing more than bluster from the Tories - who, despite having pocketed millions on the back of the oil price, are completely failing drivers across Scotland by not cutting fuel duty and leaving them to face serious increases in fuel prices.

"While the Tories continue to be all talk and no action, the SNP is getting on with delivering a revolution in transport which allows us to become a net zero nation by 2045 – this includes finding the right solutions for roads in areas like Argyll and Bute where over £15 million has been spent in landslide measures at the Rest and Be Thankful so that the longer diversion has not had to be used since February 2021."

"By voting SNP on 5 May, people across Scotland will ensure they elect councillors who will step up for them and deliver a transport network fit for the future."