Lack of timeline on next stages for A96 dualling is ‘red line’ for Fergus Ewing
The refusal to provide a timeline on the next stages of the A96 dualling scheme between Inverness and Nairn in the next three months is ‘unacceptable’ for a veteran politician.
Addressing Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop during topical questions in Holyrood earlier today (Tuesday, December 17), Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing said that constituents in Nairn “will be deeply depressed” to learn that a statement on a timeline for the development - which include the Nairn Bypass - is nowhere in sight.
This comes after strong criticism as it was revealed last week that the A96 Corridor Review report was handed to Ms Hyslop three months before its publication.
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A96 dualling report was handed to SNP transport secretary months before publication
A96 challenge issued to Fiona Hyslop by Moray politician Douglas Ross
During the debate, Mr Ewing asked for the publication of a detailed statement “setting out precisely when each remaining stage of the procurement of the section between Inverness and Auldearn will be completed”, and when the road will be constructed, within the next three months.
After Ms Hyslop stated that looking at procurement options is “a complex exercise” and that that timeframe would not be possible to attain, the Inverness and Nairn MSP replied: “We're nearly in the fourth year of this session of Parliament, very little progress has been made.
“I'm afraid my constituents will be deeply depressed by the failure for you today - and I know you take this very seriously which makes it even more serious - to give the people of Nairn and the northeast the truth.
“If we don't have it, then I, for one, will find it unacceptable. And it is a red line for me. I cannot betray my constituents - that's what my party and the government I used to be part of are demanding that I do. I'm not prepared to do it.”
The discussion started as Mr Ewing asked about the Scottish Government’s position on whether it considered the reported delay in the publication of the A96 Corridor Review document as acceptable.
After setting out the steps taken since receiving the report, Ms Hyslop replied: “This timeline represents the government taking an appropriate time to consider a report brought before presenting it to Parliament.
“A failure to properly consider a report of this significant would not serve the Parliament, nor the people of the Northeast of Scotland well.”
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr called for Ms Hyslop to apologise for keeping the A96 review from the public eye for so long.
She replied that due procedure had been followed and that members of the Conservative party “attacked her” when the review was published.
Mr Kerr said this was “insulting” to the people of the North East.
He said: “Her shameful response sends the wrong message to families whose loved ones have tragically died or been injured on the A96.
“This is another scandal to add to the long list of attempts to cover up their failures for not dualling the A96, while costing taxpayers more money on a further consultation.
“How many more expensive stalling tactics will it take before the SNP finally come clean on this vital infrastructure project?”