Highland constituents deserve better on A9 dualling, says Halcro Johnston
Today's Scottish Parliament Member’s Business debate on A9 dualling was an opportunity for MSPs from all parties to demand answers from the SNP/Green government, insisted Scottish Conservative Jamie Halcro Johnston.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “Since it was announced that the A9 dualling would not be finished as promised by 2025, we’ve had more questions than answers from the Scottish Government.
“We still don’t know when Transport Scotland finally made the call that the target date would be missed.
"We still don’t know how long doubts were being raised within government and within Transport Scotland over whether the 2025 target could be delivered."
The Highlands MSP continued: “While we now know – if what the Transport Minister told me was accurate – that Scottish ministers were first told on December 7 that the project would not be completed as promised, we don’t know why it took three months for Jenny Gilruth to inform Parliament of this.
“After SNP and Green MSPs from the Highlands and Islands failed to attend the last debate on the subject, and then all except one actually voted down any criticism of the Scottish Government’s appalling failure to deliver this project, I have written to each personally inviting them to attend.
“I hope they will stand up for the communities they represent, and take this important opportunity to demand answers from the Scottish Government on what has gone so terribly wrong.
“Local communities have waited long enough for this vital infrastructure upgrade - one which will bring huge benefits to the Highlands and Islands in terms of safety, connectivity and economic growth.
“We cannot afford any more delays or excuses – our constituents deserve better.”
