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Ross to challenge Scottish Government on A96 dualling pledge





A Highlands and Islands MSP is set to challenge the SNP government to “honour their promise” to fully dual the A96 in the Scottish Parliament later today.

Douglas Ross will use transport portfolio question time on Thursday to ask ministers if they are fully committed to dualling the route from Inverness to Aberdeen.]

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross (inset) is to challenge the Scottish Government on A96 dualling plans. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross (inset) is to challenge the Scottish Government on A96 dualling plans. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

The SNP had committed to fully dualling the key route in their 2021 election manifesto but, according to Mr Ross, over the course of having the “anti-car” Greens in government, have watered down their previous pledge. Their 2024 UK General Election manifesto only said they were “committed to improving” the A96.

Mr Ross says that any failure to dual the road in full would be a “hammer blow” for communities across Moray and the north-east and sum up how “disconnected” SNP ministers are from the reality facing those who rely on the A96.

He added that for the sake of improving motorists’ safety and boosting the local economy, it is simple “common sense” that the road should be fully dualled as quickly as possible.

Also backing the dualling calls is Elaine Kirby, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for the Elgin City South council by-election on November 7.

She says that the A96 is a “hot topic” that has been coming up “time and time again” on the doorsteps while she has been out campaigning and that local people are desperate for the SNP to show some “ambition” and commit on delivering the project, like they previously promised.

Mr Ross said: “The A96 is a vital route for communities across Moray and the north-east, but it is in danger of being completely forgotten by the SNP.

“They previously promised to dual this route in full by 2030, but in the years since, that pledge has continued to be watered down. First, they bowed to the influence of the anti-car Greens when they brought them into government and then their most recent election manifesto only committed to improving the A96.

“I will be challenging SNP ministers this week in the Scottish Parliament to state once and for all whether they are still committed to fully dualling the A96.

“If they are no longer promising to do so, then that will be a hammer blow for the communities I represent and sums up how disconnected the SNP are from the reality facing those who rely on the A96.

“I hope that ministers will show some common sense in responding to me later this week. For the sake of improving road safety and growing our local economy, the A96 must be dualled in full.”

Ms Kirby said: “I will be keeping a close eye on how the SNP minister responds to this question.

“The A96 has been a hot topic when I have been campaigning across the ward for the upcoming by-election where it has been coming up time and time again and is an issue many have highlighted when responding to my survey.

“Local people are sick and tired of this road not being prioritised by the SNP Government and are crying out for them to dual it.

“It is time for them to match the ambition of local people and get on with delivering a fully dualled A96, as they previously promised.”



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