MSP to question Nicola Sturgeon on future of A9 and A96 dualling
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A Highlands and Islands MSP is demanding answers from the Scottish Government after it was reported that the planned dualling of the A9 and A96 trunk roads could be delayed for years.
Jamie Halcro Johnston will raise the matter at First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday, and will raise some speculation that the two projects have been effectively shelved.
Mr Halcro Johnston said doubt was cast over Scottish ministers’ commitment to the schemes – an SNP manifesto pledge – after it was revealed by a spokesman from Transport Scotland that it has removed consideration of the dualling schemes from its Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).
He said this was despite Transport Scotland officials telling MSPs in 2019 that the review would consider the future of both schemes.
When asked, Transport Scotland said the STRP was a review of potential future interventions to improve Scotland’s transport networks which was different to the Scottish Government’s committed infrastructure programme, which continues to include both A9 and A96 dualling programmes which we are continuing to progress.
Speaking ahead of raising the issue with Nicola Sturgeon at this Wednesday’s First Minister’s Questions, Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The SNP made a cast-iron commitment to the people of the Highlands and Islands that these roads would be dualled and within clear timescales.
“They are vital parts of the infrastructure of the region and should be acting as a driver for investment and jobs growth.
"However, some stretches are simply not fit-for-purpose and are a deterrent to much-needed investment and job creation in my region.
“That is why it is so concerning that it now looks like that SNP ministers are shifting the goalposts on these projects, with the clear threat that completion dates may be shifted”.
Mr Halcro Johnston said this latest uncertainty over investment in the Highlands and Islands was not an isolated example.
He continued: “We face an immense challenge to reboot our economy after the ravages of the Covid pandemic and investment in improving local transport infrastructure must be part of that.
“However, communities across the Highlands and Islands are already up in arms because of the failure – despite umpteen promises from SNP ministers over their 14 years in power – to upgrade the trunk road network.
“The A83 and A82, which serve much of the West Highlands are afflicted with potholes, frequently closed to traffic and, despite the pleas of local residents and businesses, look likely to stay that way for years.
“And now, on top of that, we have serious concern over whether the Scottish Government will meet its own commitment on dualling the A9 and A96, vital roads which serve most of the rest of my region.
He added: “This is simply unacceptable and the SNP need to remember that there is more to Scotland than just the Central Belt.”
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “STPR is Scottish Government’s review of potential future interventions to improve Scotland’s transport networks.
"This is different to the Scottish Government’s committed infrastructure programme, which continues to include both A9 and A96 dualling programmes which we are continuing to progress.
“The A9 is an incremental programme, which is already delivering benefits now. As well as the completed section between Kincraig and Dalraddy, construction of the section between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam is progressing well and currently due to complete in Winter 2021.
“We are also continuing to progress our ambitious plans to dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen, delivering around 88 miles of upgraded road.
"As part of that programme, we are progressing the statutory process on the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme along with the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option on the Hardmuir to Fochabers scheme. In addition, we recently completed the route options assessment process and announced a preferred option on the East of Huntly to Aberdeen scheme.
“Delivery of each of the schemes that make up the dualling programme can only commence if they are approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for their progress can be set.
“When completed the dualling programme will bring many benefits to local communities, businesses, visitors and road users living, travelling and working along the corridor including reduced journey times, improved journey time reliability, improved road safety and opportunities for active travel.”
