FERGUS EWING: I’ll be doing all I can to make sure A9 dualling happens
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Last week in Holyrood, the petitions committee heard the evidence of Grahame Barn, CEO of Civil Engineers Contractors Association Scotland, representing 80 per cent of the civil engineering sector in Scotland.
He described Transport Scotland, the agency responsible for delivery of all major new road projects as seen by his members as “the worst client in Britain” and its pace of progress on the A9 dualling project as “glacial”. Not just strong stuff – cask strength!
He also set out in detail the different options of methods of procurement they should use, in order to go about the swift completion of the project.
Alongside him giving evidence, was the petitioner Laura Hansler, who set out plainly but with strong emotion just how the failure to deliver on pledges to complete the job by 2025 has cost lives. She played a blinder.
They both argued that unless material changes are made to the way the contracts are procured, many companies won’t be likely to bid for them at all, and the work itself may not be completed until 2050 or even beyond – a prospect that is as absurd as it is unthinkable.
To be fair to the witnesses from Transport Scotland, who then gave their evidence, they did admit the form of contract they have used is no longer fit for purpose – and that is good.
Related article: Inverness Courier to hold A9 crisis summit
But it was far from clear in what way they will actually change it, nor whether they yet even know what changes to make – despite having had at least the last two years to work all this out. Very poor. My worry is they merely tinker at the edges.
Later, the First Minister said completing the dualling of the A9 was: “A cast-iron guarantee.” So, I will be doing all I can to make sure that, this time, the pledge is delivered; and that the project is completed as soon as it can be. Of course, that means the Scottish Government putting up the necessary money over most of the remaining years of this decade – something they have failed to do so far.
After the summer recess, we will take evidence from the new transport minister Fiona Hyslop, the fourth in two years. The committee will make a report with recommendations for change. I suspect it will also be “strong stuff”.
n On a much happier note, the First Minister formally opened the National Treatment Centre in Inverness which will enable rapid progress to be made with the backlog of people waiting – often in considerable pain – for orthopaedic operations. It should be able to do around 1500 cases a year as well carrying out eye operations.
Over the past two years we have received many constituent’s cases from people waiting for operations. It is possibly the issue most frequently raised by constituents, so this progress could not be more needed. It won’t solve all the problems by any means, but will help many people.
I was struck by the key words the staff used that they will work with “kindness and compassion”. What great sentiments and obviously sincerely meant. Many congratulations to all involved in bringing this work to a successful completion.
