The SNP Government has been accused by a Perthshire MSP of presiding over three years of inactivity as far as dualling the notorious A9 is concerned.
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser claims their “appalling record on investment” has been laid bare by the answer provided to a parliamentary question he lodged at Holyrood.
Mr Fraser called on the government to list all the improvements to the A9 since May 2007, showing when these improvements were first announced.
In response, transport minister Stewart Stevenson MSP provided the following details:Ballinluig junction, publication of draft order in October 2005, work complete. Helmsdale phase two, publication of draft order in March 2007, work complete. Bankfoot junction improvement, publication of draft order in December 2007, work complete. Carrbridge, no orders required, work complete. Moy, publication of draft order in January 2009, currently under construction. Loaninghead interchange improvement, private developer scheme so no orders required, under construction. Crubenmore, publication of draft order in February 2007, currently in procurement.Mr Fraser pointed out that these findings show the government has only published draft orders for the Bankfoot junction improvement scheme and the Moy scheme since it came to power in May 2007.
He demanded that a timetable now be set to dual the A9 in its entirety from Perth to Inverness and to improve the A9’s most dangerous junctions.
In a parliamentary answer to Mr Fraser last month, it was revealed that the A9 has had the highest or joint-highest fatality rate of all roads in Scotland in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Mr Fraser said, “It is a sad indictment on the SNP Government that they have only taken incremental steps to upgrade the A9 since they came to power in May 2007. The SNP has failed in its manifesto pledge three years ago that they would dual the A9.
“I welcome any improvements to the A9 and it is good to see progress on the danger junctions on the road but we must see a real commitment to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness.”
He added, “We know that the A9 is officially Scotland’s deadliest road, with it having the highest fatality rate of all roads in Scotland it is due to this sad accolade that it is essential that the A9 is a priority to be upgraded to dual carriageway status in its entirety from Perth to Inverness.”