SNP MP calls for new timetable for upgrading A9, as another death is announced

The SNP's longest-serving MP has urged the Scottish Government[1] to produce a full timetable for the upgrading of the A9, after the project was hit by delays and rising costs. Pete Wishart[2] told the party's conference in Aberdeen[3] he was "sick and tired" of claims by opposition parties that the SNP was no longer fully committed to the plans. A motion passed by members on Tuesday stressed that it had an "unwavering commitment to fully dualling the A9 and A96 as a top infrastructure priority".

While the debate on the issue was being held in the main conference hall, Police Scotland announced that a 71-year-old man had died in a two-vehicle crash[4] on the A9 on Monday.

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The force said the man had been driving a silver Audi car when it was involved in a collision with a red Volvo FH lorry on the road in Caithness at around 3pm. Last year, 13 people died in accidents on the A9, the highest number in 20 years[5], with local residents saying they are constantly living in fear of the next incident. This year the Scottish Government announced that the dualling would not be completed by 2025,[6] as originally promised, prompting an angry reaction from affected communities.

However, a revised timetable has yet to be announced, with Humza Yousaf saying last month that MSPs should expect an update on it "later this year". Mr Wishart, whose constituency of Perth and North Perthshire is served by the A9, told SNP members it was time to "get down to the business of fixing" the remaining stretch of the road. "I get sick and tired listening to the Tories constantly digging this up as if they own the issue.

It is us who were the first government that's ever pledged to dual the A9 in its entirety," he added. "The time is now to meet it and fulfil it. It's time to get a timetable for all the sections to be upgraded - we have to see that in the autumn."

SNP councillor Jeremie Fernandes also spoke in favour of the motion, telling his colleagues that it was time to "get on with it". He added: "These roads are not just stretches of Tarmac, they are arteries of connectivity and progress. They serve as vital conduits, connecting the Highlands and the north-east of Scotland to the rest of the country.

"Yet these vital arteries have been plagued by congestion, accidents and lost economic opportunities.

First and foremost, the dualling of these roads will save lives.

"We are tired of opening the papers every week and reading about accidents...we cannot put a price on saving lives."

References

1. ^ Scottish Government (inews.co.uk)
2. ^ Pete Wishart (inews.co.uk)
3. ^ Aberdeen (inews.co.uk)
4. ^ Police Scotland announced that a 71-year-old man had died in a two-vehicle crash (www.bbc.co.uk)
5. ^ Last year, 13 people died in accidents on the A9, the highest number in 20 years (www.bbc.co.uk)
6. ^ This year the Scottish Government announced that the dualling would not be completed by 2025, (www.bbc.co.uk)