Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson urges ministers to ‘think gain’ after 2030 A96 dualling pledge abandoned

Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson has urged Scottish Government ministers to “think again” after it was confirmed yesterday that plans to dual the A96 by 2030 have been dropped.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop confirmed in a statement to the Scottish Parliament that the deadline to dual the key route in its entirety by 2030 will no longer be met.

She insisted that the Scottish Government is still committed to dualling the road despite the publication of draft plans hours before her statement revealing that dualing the route could be abandoned in favour of a “refined” package of eight options.

Councillor Robertson said: “I share the sense of anger and betrayal that so many people across Moray are feeling about this announcement from the Scottish Government.

“There is compelling evidence that dualling the A96 would make the road safer and reduce the number of accidents, including fatalities.

“The fact is people from Moray have no option but to use the A96 whether they want to or not.

“For instance, due to lack of capacity at Dr Gray’s Hospital, many people, including the elderly, have to attend medical appointments in Aberdeen.

“In addition, the great majority of our mums-to-be also have to travel to Aberdeen to give birth. And on top of that we have just had an announcement that patients due to go to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after a critical incident are now being diverted to other hospitals, which will mean even more ambulances using the A96.

“What must all these people be feeling about the Scottish Government’s sense of priority as the winter months draw in and road conditions worsen?

“And then we have the knock-on effect on our businesses and hopes for economic growth when investment in our most important trunk road is, once again, deferred or cancelled.

“It’s simply not good enough, and I urge ministers to think again.”