BUILD THE BYPASS: Petition calls for timeline on A96 dualling and Nairn Bypass by Easter 2025
The Inverness Courier is launching a petition calling for the Scottish Government to publish a timeline for works on A96 dualling between Inverness and Auldearn - including the Nairn Bypass - by Easter 2025.
This new petition, now published on the Scottish Parliament’s website, follows a first public call on Change.org asking for the timeline to be published by the end of 2024 - which gathered almost 1500 signatures.
The recent publication of the A96 Corridor Review and a related statement by Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop made it clear it would not happen by this deadline - but an alternative timeline remains nowhere in sight.
Ms Hyslop told Holyrood last week: “The use of the mutual investment model for the A96 Inverness to Nairn including Nairn bypass scheme would need to be considered alongside our current proposal for the A9.
“That consideration will come to a conclusion at the end of 2025.
“As part of that work, we will also consider the delivery options for the adjacent A9-A96 Inshes to Smithton scheme, which is part of the Inverness and Highland city region deal.
“That is the orderly way to deliver a meaningful timetable, and a parliamentary statement would not change that.”
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When asked whether this meant that an A96-Nairn Bypass timeline won’t be provided before the end of next year, a Transport Scotland spokesperson stated: “The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme and the publication of the Made Orders for the scheme in March was a strong sign of our commitment to build this key project.
“We have confirmed through the Programme for Government, which is specifically a programme for the next year until next September, that we will commence the final stage of the process for acquisition of land required for the scheme, and progress work to determine the most suitable procurement option – thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets.
“This is a complex exercise which looks at a number of factors including how the project can be delivered most efficiently by industry whilst minimising disruption to road users.
“It is fundamental that contracting authorities allow sufficient time to properly consider the range of procurement routes available for any given project. This is important to ensure that the chosen procurement option generates sufficient competition to maximise value for money, delivers against the objectives of the intervention and complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
“The Cabinet Secretary has given a commitment to update parliament when this work has concluded.”
Calls to progress the scheme have come from across various parties.
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, who said that the lack of provision of a timeline in the next few months would be a “red line” for him, strongly suppors the new petition.
He said: “Nairn is the forgotten town for the Scottish Government. The pledge made in 2011 - 13 years ago - to deliver a Nairn bypass has been broken.
“I welcome this petition and will provide my full support to it as I sit on the petitions committee in Holyrood.
“Fiona Hyslop wants to deliver. Of that, I have no doubt. But she must now order Transport Scotland to produce a detailed plan stating when the bypass will be completed as must the dualled road from Inverness to Auldearn.
“The excuse is that the method of funding has not been agreed. Well - why not? Have her officials been sleeping on the job?
“The method of funding for the A9 dualling hasn’t been finalised either, but the detailed statement timetable and completion date have been announced. If they can do it for the A9 why not the A96? So, that excuse doesn’t wash.
“The political pressure from a well-supported petition should persuade the Scottish Government to publish a clear plan. Nairn deserves nothing less.”
You can read the full petition and sign it on the Scottish Parliament’s website (under reference PE2132).
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