By Eric Nicolson

THE LATEST statistics released by the Scottish Government about fatal accidents on the Perth to Inverness A9 give more weight to the campaign to dual the notorious road in its entirety, it was claimed yesterday.

A parliamentary answer received by Perthshire MSP Murdo Fraser has revealed the number of fatal accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 is almost four times higher than the number of fatal accidents on dual carriageway sections.

There have been 19 fatal accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in the last five years (2003-2007).

In comparison, there have been five fatal accidents on dual carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in the same period.

Furthermore, there have been 50 serious but non-fatal accidents on single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in the last five years, compared to 10 serious but non-fatal accidents on dual carriageway sections.

The figures make it plain that the single carriageway sections of the A9 are causing more fatal and serious accidents than dual carriageway sections, Mr Fraser insisted.

He believes this is the latest evidence that highlights the “urgent need” to dual the whole of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in order to reduce fatalities on the road.

He now wants to see the SNP Government pledge the money to do so rather than “drag its feet” on the issue.

The Tory MSP said, “Road-users of the A9 know that this road is already claiming too many lives, with the A9 having the highest fatality rate of all roads in Scotland.

“Through parliamentary answers, it is now clear that the single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness are claiming many more lives than the dual carriageway sections of the A9.

“I accept that dualling the A9 will not end accidents on the road but it is clear dualling this road will greatly reduce the number of accidents and save lives.

“That is why we must see the Scottish Government give a firm commitment to dualling the A9 and put in place the funds required instead of dragging its feet.

“The major problems with the A9 between Perth and Inverness are the long and dangerous stretches of single carriageway and the fact that the road continually switches between single and dual carriageway.

“If the A9 is dualled in its entirety then both of these problems will be eradicated and I am sure that we will see a reduction in the number of fatalities and serious accidents.”