Further calls to dual A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness after FOI reveals "horrific figures"
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THERE have been further calls to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness after a Freedom of Information request revealed "horrific figures" pertaining to fatalities and injuries on the road.
The request revealed that 13 people have died and almost 180 people have been injured in collisions on the A96 in the last three years.
That has prompted calls for the road to be dualed as soon as possible.
North-east Conservative MSP Liam Kerr has urged the Scottish Government to "wake up" and added that the A96 should be dualled in its entirety and not just from Nairn to Inverness.
That is because the figures, obtained from Police Scotland, show 11 people have been killed and 108 have been injured in 69 crashes between Huntly and Inverness since 2019.
A further two have died and 69 have been hurt in 51 collisions between Aberdeen and Huntly.
Kerr, the Scottish Conservative Shadow Net Zero, Energy and Transport Secretary, said: "These horrific figures should act as a wake-up call to the SNP Government and prompt them into finally fulfilling the promises they made over a decade ago to dual the road in its entirety.
"Their reluctance to upgrade the A96 and their complete wall of silence on dualling Aberdeen to Huntly especially is absolutely shameful.
"This is continuing to cause upset to families whose loved ones have tragically died or suffered injuries on the route in the last three years.
"The whole A96 needs to be upgraded to give drivers a safer and improved journey between Aberdeen and Inverness, drive the north-east economy forward and ensure our emergency services can get where they need without delays.
"Rather than turning a blind eye to the horrendous collisions which are unfolding on a weekly basis, the SNP Government needs to stop pandering to its Green partners and fully dual the road as soon as possible.”
