Inquiry into the A9 dualling is ‘unconvinced’ the Scottish Government has learned the lessons of the past leaving MSPs in doubt about the project’s future
The committee inquiry into the A9 remains “unconvinced” that the Scottish Government has learned the lessons of the past as it delivers a damning report into the failure to make the 2025 deadline.
Though there was no one reason behind the failure, the inquiry found that a lack of agreement on how to fund the dualling programme “significantly contributed” to the decade-long delay to dual from Inverness to Perth.
The Scottish Parliament’s citizen participation and public petitions committee launched the probe after Highland campaigner Laura Hansler called for the government commitment to be realised.
Despite the renewed programme funded in part by public investment and others with private investment, the committee “remains concerned” about whether cash will be available when it needs to be to meet the new 2035 deadline.
During the committee’s consideration, it received documents from Transport Scotland which showed that issues were repeatedly raised over a number of years, all of which increased the risk of the 2025 target becoming unachievable.
Transport Scotland’s role within the project has also come under scrutiny. It was unclear to the Committee where the A9 dualling programme sat within Transport Scotland’s wider project portfolio.
There was also concern about the lack of open and external dialogue about the challenges being faced with the project, something which could undermine the public’s confidence in the body’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects.
Committee convener Jackson Carlaw said: “The A9 is a key route for the Scottish economy and tourism. But the dualling of the A9 is not just important for Scotland’s economy but for the safety of all those using it. Too many people have lost their lives on this road and the thoughts of the Committee go out to the families of everyone affected.
“What has become clear to the Committee is that a lack of clarity over the availability of funding has, fundamentally, resulted in not just a failure to deliver this project, but it contributed to wider failure to be open about the challenges being faced by the project.
“This is, quite frankly, unacceptable for those who live and work in northern Scotland. And whilst a revised date for completion of the project has been announced by the Cabinet Secretary, the delay of the Tomatin to Moy section of the A9 makes us unconvinced that lessons of the past have been learned.”
Among the recommendations made as a result of the inquiry, the committee is now calling on a duty of candour to be introduced for major projects so that challenges are brought to light sooner.
The report also calls for the establishment of a dedicated Parliamentary committee to provide oversight on major infrastructure projects being pursued by the Scottish Government, especially where these projects are likely to run over multiple parliamentary sessions.
Mr Carlaw added: “Our committee is strongly of the view that there must be a duty of candour introduced for major projects such as this, to ensure that not only Parliament but also the public are informed about progress.
“We are also calling for proper parliamentary scrutiny through the establishment of a parliamentary committee which could oversee major infrastructure projects. This will help to ensure that the people who rely on the A9 are not failed once again.”
The Petition also called on the creation of a national memorial to all those who have lost their lives on the A9. The committee has asked the Scottish Government to explore and consult on options for an appropriate memorial.
