The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
SNP’s north travel plans
North business leaders have been invited to share their views on local transport infrastructure and services at a special audience with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Transport and the Islands.
Humza Yousaf MSP will detail the SNP’s plans for the region and take questions from the audience on the region’s current and future air, sea, road and rail services.
The event has been organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce and will take place on Monday, October 31 at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have seen some progress with the commencement of trunk road dualling and the reintroduction of daily flights between Inverness and Heathrow airports, however, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of any real strategy to improve the infrastructure of the main rail line between Inverness and Perth, the Highland Main Line.
“Network Rail’s draft plans for the next two decades, for example, make no reference to any investment in the infrastructure.
“If the Highlands and Islands are to reach their potential, we need better infrastructure, better services and recognition from Holyrood that we not only deserve this, but need it if we are to grow as a regional economy.”