The head of Highlands and Islands Enterprise has pledged to investigate claims that a run of average speed cameras on the A9 could cost the local economy millions of pounds each year.
Chief executive Alex Paterson was quizzed about the impact at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s economy, energy and tourism committee in Perth.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, who chaired the meeting in the Salutation Hotel, raised the issue after a study carried out on behalf of Transport Scotland forecast that the cameras could be a major blow for the local economy.
Mr Fraser quoted a consultancy study which estimated commutes could become about 5-10 minutes longer.
He said: “It doesn’t sound substantial but the estimate was that this would impose an annual cost of between £4.3 million and £8.7 million on the Highland economy.”
Mr Paterson said: “We haven’t done any research on that, but we are happy to look into it. My sense is that we need to see what the effect will be, rather than try and predict it.”
He added: “The average speed camera system is fundamentally a safety issue.
“I understand Transport Scotland did indicate that journey times would not be affected by the cameras.
“The thing that will make the real difference on this road is dualling and the more we can move that forward, the better.”