The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Anger as A9 speed cameras installed
FURIOUS CAMPAIGNERS have launched a stinging attack on Transport Scotland over plans for theA9 between Perth and Inverness.
Work to install controversial average speed cameras along the route began yesterday near Pitlochry — three weeks before the proposals are debated by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petition Committee.
Now, Transport Scotland is being accused of “ignoring” the process and treating it with “total contempt”.
More than 2,000 motorists have signed a petition demanding a review of the proposals and 1,000 pages of evidence against the cameras have also been submitted to the committee.
Campaigner Mike Burns said: “This is a desperate attempt to railroad through A9 average speed cameras which do not have public support.
“We are now in the ludicrous situation of an SNP Government ignoring the evidence, commissioning new reports to suit themselves and ignoring parliamentary process on theA9.
“With more revelations to come over the next few days on the substandard reports used by Transport Scotland, the SNP must show proper leadership and cancel this flawed project in order to regain voters’ trust in the Highlands, as opposed to continuing with south over north transport policies.”
As part of the £2.5 million system, cameras will be installed at 27 sites between Perth and Inverness. The work is expected to last approximately 28 weeks.
The plans cover the entire 136-mile route between Dunblane and Inverness as part of efforts to cut the number of crashes before the road is upgraded to dual carriageway by 2025.
CAMERAS WILL be installed every three to four miles along single carriageway parts of the A9 between Perth and Inverness and along the dual carriageway between Perth and Dunblane.
Transport Scotland defended its decision to begin the programme, which has already been delayed and will be completed several months later than originally planned.
A spokesperson said: “The A9 Safety Group firmly believes that average speed cameras will save lives on the A9.
“We have committed to having the system installed by October and we have to start work now to meet that deadline.
“In the meantime however, our engagement with the Public Petitions Committee will continue, and we will make every effort to explain our compelling evidence base to members.
“We understand that there has been a great deal of discussion about this measure, but we have to trust the evidence from across the world which demonstrates the effectiveness of cameras on a variety of road types.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has also waded into the argument, urging the government to focus on dualling theA9.
He claimed work on the average speed cameras could become “a distraction”.
“The main priority for the Scottish Government has to be finishing the job and dualling the A9,” he added.