LIB DEMS CALL ON MINISTER TO PUT BY-PASS BACK ON TRACK AT CITY MEETING

Liberal Democrats from across the Highland Capital are calling on SNP Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to use his visit to the city next week to put vital by-pass plans back on track. Mr Stevenson will attend a lunchtime meeting with Inverness Chamber of Commerce this coming Monday, 23^{rd June, at the Contrast Brasserie.}

Last summer, the Highland Council published a timetable for work to begin on the Trunk Link Road in 2010, subject to funding from the Scottish Government. A decision is expected very soon as part of the ‘Strategic Transport Projects Review’ – but Ministers’ refusal to approve the priorities submitted by regional transport partnership Hitrans has raised fears an SNP election promise to fund work before 2012 could be broken.

Commenting ahead of the visit, Mr Alexander said:

"I am very pleased that the Minister is coming to Inverness. He will see – and hear from our local business community – just how urgently we need to get the by-pass built for Inverness.

"Before the election, the SNP made a clear promise that Government funding would be available before 2012. Since then, Ministers’ words have cast considerable doubt upon their commitment to the project.

"We are calling on the Minister to renew that promise next week, and ensure funding follows no later than 2010 from his forthcoming review of transport spending priorities."

Inverness West MSP John Farquhar Munro added:

"There is strong agreement across our area that the Inverness by-pass should be a top priority. It will be a big boost both to the city and the region – helping traffic flow on the A82, the A96 and the A9.

"The council has made real progress since the elections last year, but Ministers seem to be dragging their feet. Now is the time to end the uncertainty and make sure that there are no further damaging and costly delays before the by-pass is built."