Serious A9 crash expected to delay independence referendum result in Highlands
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A SERIOUS road crash on the A9 just after midnight is likely to delay the declaration time for the independence referendum result in the Highlands.
Highland Council has warned there may be “some delay” to the planned declaration time of 4am, with estimates of between 90 minutes and two hours rumoured.
The crash has closed the A9 in both directions at the Berriedale Braes, and Traffic Scotland has warned of delays of up to 60 minutes for motorists. No further details have yet been released.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are currently attending a serious road traffic collision on the A9 trunk road at Berridale. The road is closed in both directions and is likely to remain so for some time.
“Bear Scotland are currently placing a diversion for north bound traffic onto the A897 at Helmsdale and south bound traffic via Thurso and the A836.”
If the Highland count is delayed by 90 minutes then it may make it the last in Scotland to declare. Only Aberdeen is currently estimated to declare later – at 6am.
A Highland Council spokeswoman, in a tweet, said: “The Highland Counting Officer expects some delay in receiving ballot boxes from the north following the A9 road closure.”
