Highland business leaders welcome A9 lorry trial
Business leaders in the region have praised the Scottish Government's decision to increase the speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes from 40 to 50mph on the A9 on a trial basis.
The Federation of Small Business wrote to Transport Minister Keith Brown in August expressing concerns that installing cameras with the HGV limit set at 40mph could endanger lives on the one hand, while potentially damaging the North’s economy on the other.
Amanda Frazer, the Newtonmore-based chair of the FSB’s Highlands and Islands Regional Committee, said: “I am delighted that the extensive lobbying by the FSB and others has worked and that the Transport Minister has taken the pragmatic decision to increase the maximum speed for HGVs on the A9 for a 36 month trial period.
"The increase is essential and will be warmly welcomed by the North’s business community.
“However, while the modelling concludes that average speed cameras and a 50mph HGV speed limit will make the road safer than currently, we must never forget that the A9 exists to enable people and goods to travel freely from south to north in Scotland, and vice versa.
"The A9 is the key lifeline for the North’s economy and average speed cameras and faster speed limits for HGVs, 95% of whom are already travelling faster than that the 40mph speed limit, does not mean that it will now be fit for purpose.
“It is imperative that the Scottish Government does not rest on its laurels but pushes ahead with the dualling as rapidly as possible.”
