Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth says the Scottish Government is “committed to fully dualling the A96” despite concerns this promise would be abandoned over environmental concerns.
The SNP promised over a decade ago it would dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030, as well as the A9 between Inverness and Perth.
However, this was thrown into doubt when the Scottish Greens were brought into government last year.
It was announced as part of the government’s new agreement that the project would be subject to an environmental impact assessment.
In parliament on Wednesday, Ms Gilruth said the government remains committed to the promise it made to upgrade the road connecting the two cities.
Families ‘deserve nothing less’
She was speaking in a debate called by Tories who want a firm promise to improve the A96 and the A9 Perth-Inverness road.
North East MSP Liam Kerr said the families of those killed and injured on the A96 “deserve nothing less” than safety improvements.
Most recently, a 78-year-old man died near Auldearn after a crash between his car and a tractor in January 2022.
In response, the transport minister said: “It is this government’s commitment, and it remains so, to fully dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.”
Later, SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire East Gillian Martin said there had been “too many accidents over decades”.
Ms Martin said she was pleased to hear Ms Gilruth “reiterate” the Scottish Government’s commitment to fully dual the A96.
I am confident that once Transport Scotland report on the record breaking consultation on the A96 this sentiment will be evident in the responses received. Too many accidents over decades.
— Gillian Martin (@GillianMSP) November 2, 2022
Greens committed to ‘improving’ A96
The Scottish Greens said the government was committed to “improving” the A96 and said the project should still be subject to the outcome of a climate impact assessment.
The party’s co-leader, Patrick Harvie, said: “It is important to recognise the government is delivering exactly what we said we would do.
“We are committed to the north-east, including improving the A96.”
Fellow Green MSP Mark Ruskell said dualling the road would not completely solve the problem of frequent tragic accidents, and suggested average speed cameras be installed instead.
‘I was one of the lucky ones’
At the debate Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said he himself had been left with “multiple fractures” after a crash on the A9 near Carrbridge.
He said: “In 1990, I was involved in a head-on collision on the A9 single carriageway near Carrbridge.
“I suffered multiple fractures and spent weeks in hospital.
“I was one of the lucky ones, I survived – others have not been so fortunate.”
He added: “Too many people have died on the A9 single carriageways.
“They are dying this year and they will continue to die.”
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