A9 dualling – Readers continue to make their voices heard
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As with response to previous stories on the subject there were plenty who were keen to lay the blame firmly at the government's door.
Liam Sutherland said: "SNP only care about the central belt.
"They ramble on about how Scotland is Neglected by London Rule but they do the exact same to The Highlands. Total Hypocrites.
"If the road was in the central belt it would have been completed years ago."
And Charles Bannerman said: "We also need to ask how many votes the SNP acquired as a result of making that dishonest promise.
"It wouldn’t have taken too many to make the difference needed to form their coalition with the Greens, who will doubtless have been pressing them for non-delivery of this vital link.
"This is a prime example of the Highlands being let down by central belt politics, and exploited as a means towards keeping the SNP in power."
Ewan D Cameron said: "I would also say R.I.P. A96 Dualling. Total betrayal of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire."
However, in direct response to Mr Bannerman's post Domhnall Morrison said that the Greens had agreed to the dualling before reaching their power sharing agreement with the SNP.
And he added: "The promise to dual the A9 hasn't been broken, it is the ambitious target of 2025 that cannot be met.
"Even the then Minister admitted it back then.
"Anyone else who thought 2025 the dualling would be completed is being disingenuous with themselves."
He further asked: "Why wasn't the A9 fully dualled before 2007?
"Consecutive governments had all those years beforehand to do it. They dualled sections but not the entire length from Perth to Inverness.
"I'm disappointed that the Moy section has been delayed because only one contractor bidded and this was not cost effective.
"It also seems there are issues within the tendering which may have put other firms off from bidding. Therefore, hopefully Transport Scotland will be given a kick up the backside and told to get their fingers out."
Evelyn Grant called for a constructive approach to dealing with the issue.
"Time for politicians of all parties to work together to develop a strategic approach to transport across the north," she said.
"A9, A82 and A96 are all disgraceful trunk roads.
"Rail services are limited by extensive lengths of single track line with insufficient passing places.
"There is little point in celebrating (though I'm not sure we should) our new green freeport if everything is hobbled by poor road and rail links."
While there had previously been praise from many for Inverness and Nairn SNP MSP Fergus Ewing's branding of the delay as a "betrayal" of the Highlands and his call for an inquiry into the dualling project as a whole not everyone was so supportive today.
Richard Bradford said: "Ewing has demonstrated political immaturity and petulance on this issue.
"Regardless of the merits of the issue at question, Ewing has been described as 'angry' (an ineffective strategy), and is overly personally invested in the policy.
"He is now at a time in his political life when he is preoccupied by legacy; voters are much less concerned about Ewing's legacy than Ewing."
On thee dualling itself he added: "Meanwhile, two good interim measures (imported from south of the border) could be used immediately to mitigate the situation. 1. Driver speed awareness courses instead of fines/points, etc. 2. Dashcam portals for the reporting of bad driving. Both were suggested on radio this week by 'an expert'."
What do you think? We are always happy to hear your views – please comment on Facebook or email us at newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
