Despite criticism from opposition parties, the SNP government remains committed to the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness, a senior minister has insisted.
In the wake of another death on the route Gordon Cooper died following a three lorry pile-up 10 days ago Tory MSP Murdo Fraser had claimed the nationalists’ pledge to upgrade the road amounted to “rhetoric”.
That has prompted an angry response from Perth and North Perthshire’s SNP representative at Westminster, Pete Wishart, who told The Courier dualling remained a priority.
He accused Mr Fraser of “politicking” and insisted moves to upgrade were well established.
“Since the SNP government came to power in 2007, all the correct steps to prepare for dualling the A9 have taken place,” Mr Wishart said.
“The previous government left no plans to dual the road from Perth to Inverness.
“The SNP then ensured the project was included as a proposal in the Strategic Transport Projects Review, the first time dualling the A9 has been a national transport project.”
Mr Wishart said the initiative was never going to be completed overnight, and claimed any expectations of a rapid upgrade were unrealistic.
“Everyone knows it takes time to design such a project,” Mr Wishart added.Complexity”There are many statutory processes to go through when undertaking a scheme of this scale and complexity.
“Even the most minor project faces many levels of design, development, planning and scrutiny and so it should to ensure all the correct steps are being taken.”
Mr Wishart insisted the Scottish government had not rested on its laurels.
“While this good and essential planning work has been taking place, the government has completed the junction improvements at Bankfoot and Ballinluig and is taking forward a range of improvements to the road further north,” he said.
“The improvements have created very safe junctions that are widely welcomed.
“Murdo Fraser’s politicking on this issue is of course a diversionary tactic.
“He wants to shift the focus away from the financial challenge that will be involved in dualling the A9.
“Over the next four years the UK Government will slash capital spending by nearly 40%.
“No wonder Mr Fraser wants to shift attention away from that act of economic vandalism by his government.”
Mr Wishart said work to dual the A9 would continue despite budget pressures.
“It is for Mr Fraser to start explaining why the Tories are determined to make projects like dualling the A9 even more challenging by axeing public spending in Scotland,” he added.
“In the meantime I am confident the SNP government will continue to work to dual the A9 as we promised to do.”