DAVID STEWART: Time to accelerate detailed dualling programme for A9
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When is a vow not a vow? The SNP 2007 election manifesto promise could not have been clearer: a rock-solid commitment to dual the A9 from Inverness-Perth by 2025.
This was dropped by their then transport minister Jenny Gilruth in February with only 30 miles dualled and 80 to go.
Local politicians were outraged. Rhoda Grant MSP said it was a “total betrayal of the Highlands. It is a broken promise.” Fergus Ewing MSP spoke of his “shock, incredulity and anger” because of the broken vow.
Jenny Gilruth had a list of excuses for not meeting the vow, including the war in Ukraine, Brexit and Covid-19. Construction insiders estimate current projections that dualling may not be complete until 2050 or in the worst-case analysis, 2137.
This is a huge setback for the north and a blow for road safety campaigners, such as the A9 Dual Action Group who have a near 4000 signature petition before the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee next week.
I chaired the committee for over four years in the early part of my career as an MSP and I predict they will summon the new transport minister to explain their government’s failure on the A9 dualling.
First Minister Humza Yousaf was crystal clear in the SNP leadership debate, staged by The Inverness Courier, that the vow should be honoured. In a tweet on March 15, he said: “In terms of the A9, absolute commitment to dual it. We have got to, for safety, for transport accessibility.”
In 2022, there were 12 deaths on single carriageway sections of the road between Inverness and Perth. Just last month an 18-year-old man died at the scene of a crash at Dalmagarry.
My sense is that Highlanders are fed up with excuses and want action. We need a detailed dualling programme now. We need progress not procrastination.
The 2007 vow will ring a hollow note with the local families who have lost a loved one. Is it not time for the Scottish Government to set up an independent judge-led public inquiry to investigate the unacceptable delays in dualling the A9?
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I was at the Scottish Cup final on Saturday and was so proud of the performance of Caley Thistle.
It was sadly not to be a repeat of the glories of the 2015 final but every single Caley Thistle player should hold their heads up with pride at their battling, positive strategy against a very strong Celtic side.
I went to the game with my family and it was tremendous to meet so many local fans before the game, who although they had to put up with an off-the-wall kick-off time, were in great spirits and supported the club with vigour and valour for the full 90 minutes.
I also met local MP Drew Hendry and Provost Glynis Campbell-Sinclair before a quick photo opportunity with Rod Stewart… I think I need to drop this name-dropping habit!
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I watched the nail-biting game between Ross County and Partick Thistle on Sunday. The climax of the game when Ross County scored the ‘sudden death’ penalty was a huge relief for County fans across the north.
Chairman Roy MacGregor always runs a tight ship, and congratulations to players and staff.
Hopefully Caley Thistle will get promoted next season and we can see the return of the local derbies.
