Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: A9 Dualling

Graham Simpson S6M-07977 That the Parliament believes that the Scottish Government’s failure to deliver on its promise to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025 is a betrayal; recognises the vital importance of this route to the economic and social wellbeing of the communities it serves; notes the serious safety implications of failing to meet the commitment to dual, with lives lost and serious accidents having occurred since the commitment was made, and calls on the Scottish Government to provide a specific date for when a revised timescale of works and costs will be published, and to ensure that Transport Scotland publishes a quarterly update setting out progress against published targets. Jenny Gilruth S6M-07977.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-07977 in the name of Graham Simpson (A9 Dualling), leave out from "believes" to end and insert “acknowledges the significant investment by the Scottish Government in sustainable transport infrastructure in the Highlands, including the £330 million enhancements to the Inverness to Aberdeen railway line, the £57 million upgrade of the Highland Main Line between Perth and Inverness, the new £42 million Inverness Airport train station, passing loop and signalling, and over £430 million invested to date on dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness; notes the progress on dualling this part of the A9, including the opening of two sections, as well as the confirmation by the Scottish Ministers that the statutory process for a further eight sections will be completed; is concerned by the impact of Brexit and the UK Government's economic mismanagement, which have caused increased labour and material costs, on the A9 dualling programme, including the Tomatin to Moy project; welcomes the intention of the Scottish Government to engage further with the relevant local members on the A9 dualling programme and to set out a renewed timescale for completion of the dualling programme to the Parliament later in 2023, and further welcomes the early progress being made on the £5 million package of short-term measures to make the A9 safer for all road users.” Neil Bibby S6M-07977.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-07977 in the name of Graham Simpson (A9 Dualling), insert at end "; notes the statement made by the Minister for Transport on 8 February 2023 that the Scottish Government is still 'absolutely committed' to dualling the A9, and believes that this project is a priority and should be progressed as a matter of urgency."