Efforts to speed up the dualling of the A9 could have a negative impact on communities in Perthshire, MP Pete Wishart has warned.
Welcoming the news that average speed cameras will be installed along the A9 from Dunblane to Inverness, the MP for Perth and North Perthshire said he continues to support the timetable outlined by the Government for the full dualling of the road.
He was speaking out after calls by some road safety campaigners to bring the work on the dualling project forward.
“I welcome the introduction of these average speed cameras,” said Mr Wishart.
“Everyone wants this road dualled as quickly as possible but in dualling this road we cannot bypass the views of those that live alongside it.
“It is also important that the crucial engineering works are conducted efficiently and effectively and that everything is properly prepared and assessed before this huge and costly project gets under way.
“I understand that there have been calls to speed up the dualling of the A9, however we have to be mindful of the residents of the neighbouring communities of Bankfoot, Luncarty and Dunkeld.
“By speeding up the process there is the risk of disregarding concerns and not ensuring that the route is adequately prepared,” he said.
Mr Wishart said that accelerating the dualling would also inevitably mean money would need to be diverted from other projects.