Nairn Bypass and A96 Inverness to Auldearn dualling scheme set for year-long wait for delivery timeline
A timeline for dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn will take at least a year to be published, it has been revealed.
In a recent reply to the Inverness Courier’s petition calling for a timeline for works to be released by Easter, Lawrence Shackman, director of major projects at Transport Scotland, said it expects work to “determine the most suitable procurement option” and develop the business case will take a further 12 months - only after which a timetable for progress will be able to be set.
This was confirmed by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop in response to Parliamentary Questions submitted by Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant last week.
Explaining the timeline the response read: “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.
“Consideration will be given to the feasibility and attractiveness of combining with adjacent schemes to form larger contracts or splitting the scheme and delivering through smaller contracts, for example the Nairn Bypass.”
Responding to that Ms Grant said: “I am shocked and horrified that the Scottish Government are taking this long to publish a timetable of works for the Inverness to Nairn dualling and Nairn Bypass. The Made Orders were made last February!”
And referring to the meeting organised by The Inverness Courier which brought Ms Hyslop and transport officials face to face with the public in Nairn last May she added: “The Cabinet Secretary heard the strength of feeling when she visited Nairn for the public meeting yet it appears that they are still dragging their feet. They are doing this with many projects across the country and the A96 dualling is no different.”
She also expressed her support for the ongoing petition, published on the Scottish Parlament’s website in December.
She said: “The Inverness Courier have worked diligently to ensure this issue is not forgotten about and I am supportive of their petition to have the timetable published before Easter 2025.
“Sadly, these Parliamentary Questions suggest that is unlikely.
“We must therefore redouble our efforts to keep this development at the forefront and push for progress."
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing was also furious on learning about current timings for the project.
“This is an utter disgrace,” he said. “The Scottish Government say they won’t even produce a plan for the next 12 months - yet, they’ve had the full four years of this session of Parliament.
“They have spent £90 million on the A96 and not one metre of tarmac has been laid.
“How that is even possible is a mystery beyond my ken.”
According to a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by Neil Alexander - leader of the Scottish Lib Dems in Moray - revealed that Ms Hyslop knew of the plans to hold a further public consultation on the A96, which would have delayed works to the Nairn bypass.
Mr Alexander said: "The people of Nairn have been let down by politicians on this issue for too long.
"The findings in the Freedom of Information requests are shocking.
“I was at the meeting when the Transport Secretary came to Nairn during the General Election campaign and promised good news soon on the bypass, but now we know that even then the SNP government planned to delay the vital works on the Nairn bypass with another public consultation.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We are 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 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 then 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.”