Highland Councillors Welcome Scotland’s Transport Announcement

The Highland Council has warmly welcomed the outcome of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review, which sets out the future investment programme for transport in Scotland over the next 20 years.

Several Highland projects are among the 29 major investment priorities across Scotland that have been identified in the review and the Council is eager to speak with the Scottish Government early in the new year to clarify the timing of the various projects.

The Council has argued strongly for improvements to rail services and for major investment in Highland roads, including the A9, A 82, and A 96 and is delighted that its representations have been recognised by the Scottish Government.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council’s Transport Environment and Community Services, said: “This is really excellent news for the Highlands. I am very pleased indeed to see so many Highland projects featuring in the Scottish Government’s list of priorities, especially reductions in rail journey  times through investment in the rail network which will hopefully persuade more people to use public transport, and the proposed investment in the key road gateways to the Highlands.

“It is always the case that the devil is in the detail and we look forward to getting the opportunity early in the new year to clarify the timings of these important projects.”

Particularly welcome is the commitment to carry out major improvements to the trunk road network in the Highlands, including upgrades to the A82, the dualling of the A 9 between Perth and Inverness, the dualling of the A 96 between Inverness and Nairn, a new Nairn Bypass, and a new connection between the A9 and the A96 to provide relief for the Raigmore Interchange to the east of Inverness.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Planning Environmental and Development Committee, highlighted the proposed dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn and the by-pass of Nairn as critical commitments by the Scottish Government.

He said: “Our A96 Framework Plan envisages major growth to the east of Inverness over the next 30 years and this announcement today is a huge boost as it will help unlock the economic benefits of our ambitious scheme. The new trunk link road between the A 96 and the A 9 will be important for the future growth of the city of Inverness and the proposed Inverness College/UHI campus at Beechwood."