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GRANT CAMPBELL: We need a clear investment programme for A9 dualling to aid business opportunities





Grant Campbell wants to see progress on the A9 dualling project.
Grant Campbell wants to see progress on the A9 dualling project.

The Highlands have been my home for over 20 years. Our transport system has undoubtedly been improved in that time, but it is still far from what is needed to support a dynamic, modern economy.

There is no disguising the strength of anger among our members about the recent delay to the next A9 dualling project and the lack of clarity about a revised timetable for completing the full programme. They are concerned about the knock-on consequences for investment in other major projects, including the A96 and A82, which we know – and the Scottish Government have accepted – are important for delivering economic growth, improving accessibility for people and increasing safety.

By coincidence, following the announcement we came across a copy of a report published by SCDI in May 1972 on Scotland’s roads. What was especially striking was its call for long-term investment to future-proof transport infrastructure. So traffic at the time might only justify dualling between Perth and Pitlochry and Inverness and Moy, but the report identified the benefits of dualling the full route. Similarly, it called for dualling of the A96 (including an Elgin bypass) and the A82 to support growth in the north-west and improve links to the critical ports servicing the islands.

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Recommendations from that report were actioned, including improvements to the A9 and the additions of the Kessock, Cromarty and Dornoch bridges, and in the last10 years it has seemed that the Scottish Government were working towards the full implementation of that 50-year-old vision. So it is incredibly frustrating that there is now no definitive plan and timescale for delivery of the dualling.

The pipeline of opportunities in the Highlands are of national significance: new offshore wind projects; green freeport status for Inverness and the Cromarty Firth; worldwide demand for our food and drinks products; and the global attraction of our outstanding tourism and hospitality offer.

We ask, therefore, for a national commitment by government and parliament – produce a clear investment programme to complete these projects and enable us to deliver these opportunities.

Grant Campbell is SCDI’s regional manager for the Highlands and Islands.


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