A9 dualling campaigners speak out after fatal crash
Two staunch campaigners have expressed their sorrow over the latest death and serious injury on the A9 less than a mile south of the turn-off to Carrbridge.
• Woman dies and four people seriously injured after crash on A9 near Carrbridge
MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP) spoke of another “grievous tragedy” and revealed a special meeting of MSPs about the A9 dualling timetable is scheduled for later this month.
Laura Hansler, of the Dual the A9 Group, reiterated that the road was not fit for purpose.
She said: “I was woken in the very early hours by news of this latest utterly tragic death.
“Another family’s life’s will now be irreparably affected by this horrendous and needless loss of life on this road, a road which simply isn’t safe nor ‘fit for purpose’.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and to their loved ones, and once again we must give our thanks to all our emergency services who do their absolute utmost to sustain lives at such incidents.”
Mr Ewing said: “My heart goes out to the family of the lady who has lost her life on the A9 and to the others involved in this incident. Each loss is a grievous tragedy.
"Whilst it is not appropriate to comment on this case and its circumstances which are for the police to investigate, it is clear that evidence from roads experts has established that the likelihood of loss of life is around three times greater on single than on dual-carriageway roads.
"I did raise in the Holyrood Parliament with John Swinney at his very first First Minister's Question Time whether he will accelerate the programme for completing the dualling of the road so that it is completed before 2035.
“That is just too long, especially given the initial promise was for completion by next year, 2025.
"I asked him if he would meet me along with MSPs from other parties (except the Greens). That meeting has now been arranged for Tuesday, June 25.
“I know that the First Minister is sympathetic to this request and I am going to suggest that the Scottish Government works far more closely with the civil engineering sector and the finance sector to help with the consideration of acceleration of the scheme.
"I have had background discussions with senior figures in both sectors. I believe it can be done if there is the political will.
“It scarcely needs to be said, but the sooner the road is dualled the safer it will be and the fewer families will be broken by the loss of a loved one.”
