A96 dualling commitment remains but MSPs warn backtracking would be 'betrayal' of north east
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TRANSPORT Minister Jenny Gilruth says that the Scottish Government remains fully committed to dualling the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.
Ms Gilruth reiterated the commitment at a meeting, chaired by Aberdeenshire East SNP MSP Gillian Martin, yesterday.
MSPs representing constituencies along the A96 attended the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to raise questions on the results of Transport Scotland's public consultation report.
The report found that the majority of respondents agree that there is a need for the road to be dualled.
The report also said that 58 per cent of respondents stated that they felt "very unsafe" or "somewhat unsafe" when using the road network in its current state.
Meanwhile, 88 per cent of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the availability of safe overtaking opportunities.
Ms Martin said: "I thought it was important for all north east and Moray MSPs to be able to hear directly from the minister, and the team behind the report on the public consultation and have all their questions answered.
"I was also pleased that the technical advisors on the A96 were there to advise on what happens next with the project. No one in that room was in any doubt of the importance of this corridor to the people of the north east, and it was good to hear the minister recognise that and reiterate that the existing plan is to dual the road.
“There were informative discussions, and members were able to put their thoughts on the report which showed a very strong support for dualling, and a desire to see it proceed quickly.
"The respondents were clear that the safety of the corridor as it is just now is a primary concern.
"I am aware that the public want to know what is happening next, and what their part is in that process and I hope after today that we will see a response to those calls. We were told that the next stages of appraisal will be produced and published by summer.”
Scottish Conservative MSPs raised concerns, however, over what they perceive to be a lack of certainty over plans to upgrade the stretch of road.
North east Conservative MSP Liam Kerr has asked for details on how much had been spent on design plans for the section and timescales on when the proposals would be carried forward.
He said: “This meeting emphasised how badly the SNP-Green coalition has handled the project and yet we still weren’t given any answers on if this stretch will actually ever be dualled.
“The SNP is refusing to face reality in their neglect for road users – all to appease their Green counterparts who ridiculously suggested installing average speed cameras at the meeting instead.
“Failing to dual between Aberdeen and Huntly would be catastrophic for our region and the safety of motorists.”
Alexander Burnett, Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, added: "This meeting was nothing more than a talking shop for the SNP to tick a few boxes as they kick the can down the road on dualling between Aberdeen and Huntly.
"Their constant backtracking throughout the meeting was there for all to see and this lack of action is a betrayal to the north east."
The SNP promised to dual the entirety of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen in 2011.
However, doubt was cast over the pledge when the SNP struck a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens in 2021.
That led to a review of the £3 billion project which has now been delayed.
Transport Scotland confirmed that 16 options for the route are subsequently being looked at in the first half of this year including targeted road safety improvements, public transport options, active travel considerations, and five options concerning travel by car.
Those five include full dualling of the A96, dualling of the Elgin Bypass, Keith Bypass, Inverurie Bypass and Forres Bypass.
The results will be put out to further public consultation before a final decision is reached.
