Moray MSP Richard Lochhead ‘clear’ that Keith and Elgin bypasses must come as part of fully dualled A96

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead says that he will continue to add his support to fully dualling the A96 following a statement by Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop yesterday.

Ms Hyslop confirmed that the 2030 deadline to dual the A96 in its entirety between Inverness and Aberdeen had been dropped but insisted that the Scottish Government is still committed to dualling the key route.

That was despite a review, published hours before she addressed parliament, revealing that the Scottish Government could abandon plans to dual the A96 in favour of a “refined” package of eight options.

And despite criticism of the Transport Secretary’s statement, Mr Lochhead said it was “important to note” that the SNP’s policy remains to fully dual the A96.

He said: “I continue to impress upon the Cabinet Secretary the strong feeling locally on this issue and support for dualling, in light of the significant economic and safety benefits of the project for Moray.

“Although the review option that stops short of fully dualling includes Keith and Elgin bypasses, I am clear that needs to be part of a fully dualled road.

“Opposition politicians like to jump up and down to get attention but it took the election of an SNP Government to get the dualling commitment in the first place and many road improvements in Moray, like the Fochabers and Mosstodloch bypass, that have been delivered.

"The findings will now go out to full consultation and I would encourage everyone with strongly held views on the A96 to respond and ensure their voices are heard.”