Edward Mountain MSP urges SNP to fund A9/A96 upgrades
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Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain is urging infrastructure spending on Scotland’s roads to be protected in this week’s budget.
Mr Mountain says SNP finance secretary Kate Forbes must not bow to demands from her Green coalition partners to abandon commitments to upgrades key trunk roads, including the A9 and A96.
The SNP previously committed to spending £2.2bn on Scotland’s motorways and trunk roads over the next Parliament but have rowed back on past promises since the Greens entered into Government with them.
Mr Mountain says urgent upgrades to the A9 and A96 are absolutely crucial to boosting economic growth in the Highlands as well as improving the experience for motorists on these routes.
“Upgrading the A9 and A96 is absolutely vital for our recovery in the Highlands.
“The finance secretary must use her budget this week to reaffirm the SNP’s commitment to making the necessary upgrades to these trunk roads.
“Since being joined by the Greens in Government, the SNP have rowed back on previous commitments to dual or upgrade roads.
“They must give motorists and our rural communities a boost by promising there will be no cuts to road infrastructure spending in this week’s budget and not bow to demands from the Greens.
“By doing so, they can show they are on the side of reducing disruption for drivers and showing they are still ambitious about finally making the A9 and A96 fit for purpose.”
