'Furious' Highland MSP demands A9 dualling timetable amid recriminations over SNP's 'broken promises'
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BROKEN promises on dualling of the main road through the Highlands prompted an MSP to renew calls for publication of a reviewed timetable for action within months.
Highland Labout MSP Rhoda Grant made her remarks after a Holyrood debate on the A9 at which she said the SNP “continue to break their promise” on dualling and road improvements.
She repeated calls for an inquiry into the handling of the A9 dualling failure and said these had been backed by the SNP-led Highland Council.
She urged the Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth to publish the updated timetable before Autumn 2023.
The MSP also emphasised that the A9 does not stop in Inverness and outlined the current frustrations of Caithness residents and how they feel about their road conditions – both on the A9 and on Highland Council roads.
SNP leadership candidates promise action on speeding up A9 dualling
Speaking in the debate, she said: “All the candidates in the SNP leadership contest agreed that the A9 dualling is a failure of Government. Ash Regan committed to publishing updated timetables for A9 and A96 in her first 100 days should she win the leadership election. I hope the other candidates match her ambition, waiting until Autumn is simply too long.”
Speaking after the debate, Grant said: “I hope this continued pressure highlights how important the A9 is to residents of the Highlands and Islands.
“With every passing day this SNP-Green Government continue to break their promise on the dualling of the A9 and I, along with every other Highland resident, am furious.
“I do not believe that this is a priority of this Government and I only hope that the new First Minister understands the anger and makes every effort to make good on their promise.”
