BUILD THE BYPASS: Concerns raised as Scottish Government admits no meetings were held for a year over overdue A96 report
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Scottish Government ministers and officials have had no meetings about the A96 Environmental Impact Report in the past year, it has been revealed.
A freedom of information request submitted by the leader of the Moray Liberal Democrats Neil Alexander found that, despite the report being a year overdue –it was due to be published in December 2022 – the Scottish Government had no meetings at all with Transport Scotland or with any elected officials.
According to the LibDem representative – who is also a selection candidate for the Moray West, Nairn & Strathspey constituency – the report is currently holding up any further work on the A96 dualling project as part of the SNP and Green government’s Bute House Agreement.
He said: “I’m shocked. People are dying on these roads and yet our Government seems to be at a standstill.
“The Scottish Government hasn’t even committed to improving the most dangerous section of road between Elgin and Forres.
“How much longer is this Government going to ignore the concerns of the people of Moray?"
The Scottish Liberal Democrats recently called for a roadmap for all remaining dualling sections of the A96 and A9to be published by the Scottish Government.
Following this, the Scottish Government released details for the A9 but are still to do the same for the A96
Mr Alexander continued: “All I want for Christmas is to know when vital safety improvements will be made to the A96.
“The report holding up these vital improvements is now a year overdue. To have not even had a single meeting in a full year about this is a scandal."
This comes only a few days after a serious crash on the A96 near Auldearn has resulted in two people seriously injured and one woman in critical conditionslast weekend.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland replied: “The Freedom of Information response advised that there has been no meetings held on the specific topic stated within the request. As part of the written response, officials offered to provide further information on the A96 Corridor Review, which would have included all meetings held in regards to it - this offer was not taken up.
“As we have made clear on a number of occasions, including through our Programme for Government, we are committed to improving the A96 and we will take forward an enhancements programme along the A96 corridor that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and environmental issues. The current plan is to fully dual the route and, as part of this process, we are undertaking a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme, which includes a Climate Compatibility Assessment and other statutory assessments.
“The significant interest in the review’s initial consultation last year, with nearly 4,600 responses, generated 11,000 options to improve the corridor and it’s only right that appropriate time has been taken to examine and fully appraise these.
“We have been pushing forward with the detailed appraisal of the retained options and expect to provide advice to Ministers on the emerging outcomes from the robust appraisal process imminently. Following consideration by Ministers there will then be a consultation on the outcomes before a final decision can be reached.
“At the same time, preparation work continues on the dualling of the Inverness to Nairn section, including the Nairn bypass, which already has Ministerial consent following a public local inquiry. We are continuing to progress the significant and intensive work required to prepare for publication of Made Orders, including the Compulsory Purchase Order, with a view to completing the statutory process as soon as possible.
“Delivery of the scheme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets.”
