WATCH: Inverness Courier plays a part in Holyrood A9 debate
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Inverness Courier’s viral frontpage on the A9 – seen by at least half a million people – has been held up in the Scottish Parliament debate about the missed deadline to dualling.
The cover shows a gravestone with the words: “R.I.P. SNP promise of dualling the A9 by 2025. Born 2007. Died February 8, 2023.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain introduced the Inverness Courier referring to it as “very appropriate, that is what we feel like in the Highlands.”
It will now enter the formal parliamentary and form a permanent part of the debate on the A9 and the failure of the SNP to make good on its promise made back in 2007.
- A9 dualling delay: Highland farming lobby disappointed
- Police report underlines dangers of A9 and north roads to motorists
- Which way next as MSPs split on party lines about A9 dualling inquiry?
The Scottish Conservatives used their Holyrood debate to call on the Scottish Government to urgently provide a revised timescale and costings for upgrading the A9, and to ensure regular updates on progress are provided.
Using the Courier as a reference point, Mr Mountain said: “I think the Inverness Courier’s headline is very appropriate, that is what we feel like in the Highlands – left with a tombstone of a promise from the SNP
“Graham Simpson has mentioned the role of dishonour for transport minister – he has mentioned Stewart Stevenson, he has mentioned Keith Brown, he has mentioned Derek Mackay, and Humza Yousaf, and Paul Wheelhouse, and Graeme Dey.
“And now Jenny Gilruth who I feel sorry for because she has been left carrying the can.
“They are looked on in the Highlands as the modern day Dick Turpins, the Highway Robbers. Robbers that have denied us the access route we deserve.
“But the problem is, if we describe them as that it maligns Dick Turpin because Dick Turpin’s words were ‘Stand and Deliver’ and not one single of those ministers have delivered anything for the Highlands when it comes to connectivity.”
