MSP blasts Scottish Government refusal to rule out A96 average speed cameras
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE Scottish Government's refusal to rule out installing average speed cameras on the A96 has been slammed by a north-east MSP.
Liam Kerr, Conservative North East region MSP, has written to transport secretary Jenny Gilruth expressing his concern after Green MSP Maggie Chapman claimed cameras would increase safety on the A96 rather than upgrading it in full.
In his letter, Mr Kerr asked Ms Gilruth if she agreed with the Greens, who he said are having a “disproportionate impact on SNP decision making in so many areas”.
He added that Ms Chapman’s calls for average speed cameras were “incredibly concerning” and a “breathtaking ignorance” of the issues faced by motorists on the major route.
The SNP committed to fully dualling the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness more than a decade ago, but plans have been put on hold after they formed a coalition with the Greens last year.
As part of the power-sharing deal, a review of the project has been undertaken after the Greens raised “urgent” environmental impact concerns about dualling the A96.
In a response to Mr Kerr’s concerns to the transport secretary, the Scottish Government has said it will consider deploying average speed cameras if its assessment process identifies the need for them and if funding is available.
Mr Kerr said: “It beggars belief that the SNP government is open to the potential of average speed cameras on the A96 but can’t give a straight answer on when they will dual the road in full.
“This response is yet another example of the SNP pandering to their Green partners rather than doing what’s right for commuters who have to use this deadly road on a daily basis.
“The Scottish Government is betraying north-east communities with its reluctance to commit to a promise it made over a decade ago.
“Rather than identifying new camera locations, it’s high time they concentrate on getting spades into the ground to make life-saving upgrades to the A96.”
A response from the Scottish Government said: “As with our wider strategic and local road networks, the A96 is assessed each year for safety camera use. The most recent assessment did not identify a need for average speed cameras.
“Regular camera deployments continue to take place to encourage good driver behaviour and compliance with the speed limit.
“The 2022 assessment is ongoing and should this process identify locations on the A96 which meets minimum criteria requirements then further camera deployments will be considered subject to funding being available.”
