Why we put a gravestone on our viral A9 front page

Thanks a million... or half-a-million, I should say. That’s how many people viewed our viral front page about the death of the SNP's pledge to dual the A9 by 2025 was viewed.

It’s a stark message indicating how proud we are to be the voice of our community and making it clear we won't let this dead SNP promise rest in peace.

It wasn't designed to be provocative. It wasn't designed to be disrespectful. It was designed to catch attention. It was designed to make a point – a point that decision-makers in Holyrood should not ignore.

Little did we know what would happen in less than a week with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing her resignation. Whoever replaces her must include speeding up the A9 dualling project among their urgent priorities.

Some people loved it, some people hated it – but people were talking about it and that's what we want.

This cannot be allowed to be kicked down the road. The brakes have been hit on the Moy-Tomatin section, but does that really mean we must wait until autumn for a new plan? Surely that can be accelerated.

Why must we wait? SNP stalwart Fergus Ewing wants it sooner. Highland Lib Dems are garnering people power in terms of a petition to push for it sooner, so let's see it sooner – at least this side of summer.

• WATCH: Impact of A9 tragedies is ‘devastating’, says Fergus Ewing

• WATCH: Drew Hendry 'disappointed' and 'frustrated' over A9 dualling

• FERGUS EWING: 'Once trust goes – elections are lost. And deservedly so'

We feel the sense of anger surrounding delays to the dualling of the A9 and the general feeling of powerlessness that people don't seem to be listening to concerns – but we hear you. And we want to do something about it.

Unfortunately many people in the area have been bereaved due to the A9. Yet we're still waiting for meaningful action, a plan and solutions. We are looking to put pressure on the government to make dualling it a priority but we need to make this powerful – something decision-makers cannot ignore.

It's all well and good for politicians to say their piece – and we appreciate the likes of Fergus Ewing sticking up for his community – but real people speaking out would increase the chances of making a real difference. We would like to speak to anyone who has been bereaved through accidents on the A9 so that their legacy can include pushing people in power to do the right thing and no longer ignore those who have suffered and are suffering.

We'd also like to speak to people who have survived accidents on the A9 and can tell us, and those in charge, what happened and how it may have changed you – this will aim to persuade them to make changes to the A9 a priority.

This dualling pledge (made in 2007) cannot be allowed to be placed on the backburner and ignored.

Please contact me by email andy.dixon@hnmedia.co.uk

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