Next step for Nairn Bypass could be announced in late 2025
The next major step towards the development of the Nairn Bypass and the A96 dualling between Inverness and Nairn is expected to be announced later this year, according to Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
Answering a letter from the Citizen Participation & Public Petitions committee related to The Inverness Courier’s petition calling for a timeline on the scheme to be published, Ms Hyslop said the that the work to “determine the most suitable procurement option” for the development will “closely align” with the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) assessment work being undertaken on the A9 Dualling with a decision on whether to use the MIM for the A96 section currently expected later in 2025.
In her submission, Ms Hyslop said that she wanted to “reassure” the committee that the Scottish Government is committed to “improving the A96”, with the current favoured position being to fully dual the A96.
She wrote: “I would like to reassure the Committee that the Scottish Government is committed to improving the A96.
“The current favoured position is to fully dual the A96 and we are already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn, including the Nairn Bypass. Following the publication of Made Orders last year, which completed the statutory process for the scheme, my officials at Transport Scotland have been pressing ahead with the procedural steps to take forward the final stage of the process to acquire the land required to construct the scheme.
“As I advised the committee during my appearance on 2 April 2025, the procedural steps to make this happen have now been completed, marking another key milestone for the project and a further strong sign of the Scottish Government’s commitment to deliver this project. I can advise that the Scottish Ministers have taken title to the land which has been acquired through the General Vesting Declaration (GVD) process on 21 April.
“We also continue to progress the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering the schemes and thereafter a timetable for progress can then be set in line with available budgets.”
She said that the government’s preference would be to deliver the scheme using capital funding, however, because of erosion to the Scottish Government’s capital budget, they “need to look at all possible ways of delivering the road improvement”.
“It is fundamental that contracting authorities allow sufficient time to properly consider the range of procurement routes available for any given project.
“This is important to ensure that the chosen procurement option generates sufficient competition to maximise value for money, delivers against the objectives of the intervention and complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
“It is expected that the work to determine the most suitable procurement option and develop the business case will closely align with the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) assessment work being undertaken on the A9 Dualling, with the decision on the use of MIM for the A96 Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) being considered alongside or following the A9 decision, which is currently expected later in 2025. We will also include consideration of delivery options for the adjacent A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton scheme (part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal) as part of this work.”
Only after this step, they will be able to provide a timeline for progression of the development.
