Ross to throw down gauntlet to Transport Secretary Fiona Hislop over Union Bridge roadworks ‘misery’ in Keith
The Scottish Transport Secretary is to be challenged over the slow progress of vital roadworks in a Moray town later this week.
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross has said he will once again challenge Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop over the “misery” caused by ongoing works at Union Bridge on the A96 in Keith.
Mr Ross previously criticised Ms Hyslop for refusing to come to Keith and meet with businesses and local residents who have been “hugely impacted” by the disruption the works have caused.
He will use transport questions on Thursday afternoon in the Scottish Parliament to ask the Transport Secretary what her response is to the petition which has been signed by hundreds of local residents and businesses and whether any compensation will be paid to them for the losses they have suffered.
The Tory MSP went on to say that Ms Hyslop cannot continue to “wilfully ignore” the calls from those living and working in the town and says that she must accept responsibility for her party’s “appalling failure” in dualling the A96, which would have avoided the current disruption.
Mr Ross said: “Residents and businesses in Keith have had to endure the misery of these works for far too long.
“They’ve made their feelings known with hundreds signing a petition expressing their anger about the disruption the works at Union Bridge on the A96 through the town are continuing to cause.
“They have been hugely impacted by them with businesses suffering major losses.
“At the very least they need to hear some positivity from SNP Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop when I question her again in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. It was deeply insulting that when I previously asked her about these works in Keith, that she completely refused to travel to Moray to see for herself the damage they are having.
“She cannot continue to wilfully ignore the concerns of those in Keith and the surrounding area. These works would not have caused so much misery and disruption if the SNP had delivered their promise to fully dual the A96.
“I hope that Fiona Hyslop will seriously consider setting up a compensation scheme for businesses who have suffered from a significant downturn in trade for many months, otherwise they will again be left deeply disappointed.”
Local Conservative councillor Donald Gatt said he welcomes the issue is being raised in Holyrood again, going on to state that people in Keith are at their “wits end” over the never-ending works. He blasted the SNP for what he described as “contempt” for people living in rural areas like Moray.
He added: “I’m pleased to see that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport is going to be challenged on the Union Bridge works in Holyrood again this week.
“I know people living and working in Keith are at their wits end with this disruption, which has now been going on over six months and desperately want to see end to it.
“It is clear that the SNP are not interested in this situation which sums up their contempt for issues affecting rural communities in Moray. Local people and businesses will be listening closely as to what the Transport Secretary has to say to Douglas Ross, but given her previous answers they won’t be holding their breath for her to finally be on their side.”
