Transport Sec pushed on A9 dualling committee

The Scottish Government has been urged to embrace calls for the creation of a new dedicated committee to scrutinise its progress on dualling the A9 at the Scottish Parliament.

David Green, the new MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, challenged the new Cabinet Secretary for Transport Stephen Flynn MSP during oral questions to welcome proposals put in writing to the Presiding Officer by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The establishment of a dedicated Parliamentary committee to scrutinise the A9 Dualling Programme was a key recommendation of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee Inquiry into the dualling of the A9 programme.

Speaking in the chamber, Mr Green said: “my Liberal Democrat colleague, Andrew Baxter, has called for a dedicated A9 scrutiny committee in this Parliament

“While this matter is for the Parliament, would the Cabinet Secretary welcome that? And can he also tell Parliament what further steps he will take to ensure that this project has the level of transparency Highland communities deserve?”

While the Transport Secretary would not be drawn on the proposal for a dedicated A9 committee in the chamber, he did agree to meet with the Far North MSP to discuss those matters further.

Following the exchanges, Mr Green said: "For far too long, communities in the Highlands have been left behind by the Scottish Government’s failure to get to grips with the A9 dualling project.

“This isn’t just a drag on economic opportunity; it is a serious question about road safety. Far too many families have already lost loved ones on the A9, and without action, I fear those numbers will only rise.

“Former MSP Fergus Ewing was right to argue that a dedicated committee would help ensure no more backsliding and delays. We should get on with it. I therefore welcome the Transport Secretary’s commitment to meet with me to address the dualling of the A9.”

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Andrew Baxter added: “Highland Liberal Democrats are working together to make sure the SNP government hear the needs and views of businesses and residents in the north. That is why a dedicated committee for the A9 programme is so important.

“But our representations don’t stop there we are fighting for better transport links across the Highlands and the new minister, Stephen Flynn, will not be able to hide in Holyrood or his Aberdeenshire constituency and ignore our demands.”

ENDS.