Tory MSP says not dualling the A96 would be "a betrayal to the north-east"
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Only partially dualling the A96 would be a “betrayal to the north-east” following fresh concerns from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, an MSP has warned the SNP Government.
At Holyrood, Liam Kerr urged the Scottish Government to stick to its promise made more than a decade ago and dual the route from start to finish.
It comes after Liz Cameron OBE, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said the region needs a “firm commitment” to give the economy a “much needed boost”.
Mr Kerr also demanded answers as to why her government’s recent A96 Corridor Review and survey made no mention of a dual carriageway between Huntly and Aberdeen.
He pointed out that despite there being more than 100 questions, not one mentioned dualling between the two places while the review only references “dualling from Inverness to Nairn”.
At Portfolio Questions, he asked Kate Forbes: “Last week, Liz Cameron, CEO of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce said the Scottish Government should honour the commitment that the A96 is dualled from start to finish’.
“Yet the A96 Corridor Review document only references ‘dualling from Inverness to Nairn’.
“The consultation, which closed on June 10, had over 100 questions but not one mentioned dualling between Huntly and Aberdeen.
“So cabinet secretary, will this government honour its promise made over a decade ago to fully dual the A96 from start to finish or betray the north-east yet again?”
In her response, Ms Forbes said they were committed to the upgrade despite saying ‘obviously we have agreed to conduct a transparent evidence-based review of that programme and it will report by the end of 2022’.
Mr Kerr later added: “After so many years, and so much money, it would be unforgiveable for the A96 upgrade to go back to square one.
“The SNP Government are treating the people of the north-east like fools by bowing down to their Green partners at every turn of this project.
“This shouldn’t be about backroom deals between the SNP and Greens.
"Instead, it should be about listening to commuters who depend on this key route and delivering on a promise which was made more than a decade ago.”
Visit https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-june-22-2022 where Liam’s question can be found at 14:42:00.
