Inverness MP calls for government U-turn on bypass funding
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POLITICAL pressure is mounting on the Scottish government to financially support the building of the Inverness bypass.
Inverness MP Danny Alexander has written to Scottish infrastructure minister Alex Neil, urging him to use £400 million of additional funding from Westminster’s Autumn Statement in November to widen the council’s options as it considers the best form of linking the A82 to Dores Road.
Scottish ministers refused to include the project in its transport plans three years ago, but Mr Alexander believes there is a chance for a U-turn.
"The Autumn Statement gives a real chance for that disappointing and dubious decision taken in 2008 to be overturned," Mr Alexander said.
"The SNP currently plans to lavish over £4,000m on transport investment in the Central Belt by 2015, with Highland transport receiving scraps from the table at best. A share of the extra £400m could make a big difference, but so far there has been silence on how it will be used.
"There is a positive opportunity to enable the council to choose the best option for the bypass instead of one of very few options which are affordable if it is forced to proceed alone."
Eight options for the bypass cost between £23.5m and £75.5m They have all been put to a public consultation, despite Highland Council having just £22.5m allocated to the project.
"If Mr Alexander is unhappy with the balance of transport spending, he should take this up with his Lib Dem colleagues who voted for £500 million government spending on the Edinburgh trams project, against the policy of the SNP Government," said Transport minister Keith Brown.
The public consultation runs until 16th January. Fifteen councillors will assess the feedback before recommending its preferred route to full council, which is expected to finalise the link before the local elections this May.
