Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross says A96 dualling plans ‘dead in the water’ as he accuses Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop of ‘misleading parliament’

Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross has accused Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop of “deliberately misleading” parliament after a statement on the A96 yesterday.

In her statement, Ms Hyslop confirmed that the 2030 deadline to dual the A96 in its entirety between Inverness and Aberdeen had been dropped.

She cited austerity and “ongoing cost pressures” as the reasons for dropping the deadline.

However, Ms Hyslop 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.

Mr Ross said the SNP “should be hanging their heads in shame” adding that plans to dual the road are now “dead in the water”.

He said: ““This review is years late and cost the taxpayers millions of pounds and I am now convinced any plans to dual the A96 in full are dead in the water.

“This broken promise by the SNP is a devastating blow for local people and businesses across Moray and the North East.

“The SNP squandered millions of taxpayers’ money on this review, yet in typical SNP fashion they have announced yet another talking shop.

“Fiona Hyslop as Transport Secretary does not get it and seems intent on deliberately misleading parliament and the public.

“This disgraceful failure to deliver their promise to dual the A96 will ultimately put more lives at risk and sadly lead to more fatalities on this road.”