‘Dualling U-turn would be disaster for business’
Chamber of Commerce chief supports A9 plan
The chief executive of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce has called on the Scottish Government to follow through with its committment to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness.
Dr Liz Cameron OBE said any U-turn on the dualling project would be disastrous for business.
She was speaking as the SNP government looks to gain support for its 2020/21 budget.
She was also speaking the day before a public inquiry into the dualling of the road at Killiecrankie got underway on Monday.
Dr Cameron said: “The last thing business needs right now is for any major U-turns, particularly with our transport infrastructure. Whilst we all support the need for us to work together to reduce our carbon emissions, a balance must be reached to ensure Scotland continues to be in a position to grow our economy, create more jobs, and be attractive for future investment.
“One example is the critical importance of urgently fulfilling the policy promise of upgrading the A9, and the A96. This is not a luxury but a necessity.
“Any calls on the government to consider reversing this decision must be rejected.
“This piece of infrastructure [the A9] is not only about increasing much needed capacity, it is Scotland’s longest trunk road and gateway to the Highlands, and the A96, a key transport corridor essential for Scottish exports, must be taken forward to ensure the future of rural communities and their economies.
“We acknowledge that coalition governments must sometimes compromise to govern but we urge the Scottish Government and all political parties not to compromise our future prosperity.”
Meanwhile, campaigners have said they do not have faith in the public local inquiry into proposals to dual the A9 over the historic Killiecrankie battlefield.
A local campaign group called KilliecrAnkie1689, although not against the dualling of the road, has objected to the proposed route at the battlefield.
The inquiry, which is being streamed from Pitlochry, will last for two weeks.
James Rattray, chairman of the heritage group the Soldiers of Killiecrankie, has said the inquiry is not being conducted on a level playing field.
He said: “We have absolutely no confidence in this public local inquiry.
“It is not about the facts, it is all about Transport Scotland forcing through its poor choices past the ordinary people of Killiecrankie and Scotland.”
Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said he wants the Scottish Government to acknowledge the strength of public feeling in the Perthshire area.
He said he believes there is an alternative option to dualling the A9 past Killiecrankie: “There is an alternative suggestion to extending the A9 dual carriageway on the south side - and that is to widen it to the north.
“However, Transport Scotland seems set to push on with their preferred route.”
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “We are aware of the sensitivities around what is an important battlefield, and site of historical and cultural significance, which is why we have been engaging extensively with the local community and key stakeholders since 2012.”