Councils in the North-east and across the north of Scotland are forming an alliance in a bid to improve the state of the road network.

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils are joining forces with Highland, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles and Angus.

The northern roads collaboration joint committee is likely to meet at least quarterly and is one of several collaborations suggested last summer as a way to pool resources for major projects.

Aberdeenshire Council deputy leader Peter Argyle, who also heads the Nestrans transport agency, said: “It’s about sharing ways of working rather than budgets. There’s a lot to be worked out.”

It is understood Aberdeenshire Council will be “lead authority” for the first year and annual reports on the partnership’s activities and achievements will be fed back to members.

Merging departments that buy supplies and equipment promises a combined purchasing power of more than £1 billion and savings of £22 million over five years – without posing a threat to existing council jobs – according to Highland Council.