ALEXANDER CALLS FOR STEVENSON TO DITCH BY-PASS DITHERING

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander has called on Stewart Stevenson to end the uncertainty about funding for the Inverness Trunk Link Route, following his refusal to confirm an election commitment to fund the key project ahead of 2012 yesterday.

Mr Alexander earlier challenged the Minister to confirm that his party’s election promise to the Highland Capital would be honoured.

Following the Minister’s refusal to do so, Mr Alexander said:

"People right across the Highland Capital will be disappointed by Mr Stevenson’s continued prevarication over the by-pass for Inverness, and other key transport projects right across our region.

"The SNP came to power on the back of clear commitments to the people of the Highlands. The Minister’s words are now so vague that action and inaction have become almost entirely indistinguishable.

"It’s time the Government stopped dithering and delaying. Clarity about funding is urgently needed. The Highland Council wants to get work on the by-pass underway in 2010. Is the Scottish Government prepared to back that ‘aspiration’ with funding or not?"