SNP leadership race: Candidates have their say on the A9
It's as we put questions from listeners to those aiming to replace Nicola Sturgeon
Those in contention to become the next First Minister are telling us how they plan to complete the dualling of Scotland's longest road between Inverness and Perth.
We've put questions from our listeners to Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes on their plans if selected as Nicola Sturgeon's successor.
One of these questions included one from Laùra Hänsler who asked the contenders about their plans for making the A9 dualling contract more attractive for contractors.
This comes after the Scottish Government confirmed last month the dulling project won't be completed by the initial target date of 2025.
Read on further to see how each of them responded when put on the spot about the matter.
Question on procurement plans
During her question to the candidates, Laùra from the A9 Dual Action Group highlighted the difficulty in attracting companies to work on the project.
She said: "In Scotland, unlike England, contractors have no governmental backing, and are therefore at 100% risk for road projects.
"Roads, say unlike a hospital or a school, have a less predictable outcome.
"With a much reduced profit margin, added with tighter deadlines and the risk factor, makes major road projects in Scotland highly unattractive propositions.
"How do you plan on making the bidding, procurement and the successful securing of a contract more lucrative, competitive and deliver a successful outcome for all?"
Ash Regan's response
Ms Regan said: "I was the first candidate to say that within my first 100 days I would be setting out a new timetable for this project.
"This has been in the SNP manifesto for over 10 years.
"We cannot go back on promises we've made to parts of the country and in this case the North of Scotland, it's totally unacceptable.
"I am currently not in Government so I don't have the ability to go to civil servants to look into what can be done, but I suspect your questioner has hit the nail on the head.
"Putting the risk onto the contractor is obviously making these contracts look like they are not a good option.
Current A9 situation "totally unacceptable" - Regan
"We have obviously seen prices are rising in some areas so if you are a contractor, it's difficult to then predict how much these plans are going to cost.
"We need to look at the way we are contracting these out.
"I suspect the option for this might be, rather than having some very big contracts which only certain companies can bid for, that we break them down into much smaller parcels in the hope that more and local companies can bid for smaller parts of the work.
"That might be the way forward."
Humza Yousaf's response
Mr Yousaf said: "These are a really good set of questions from Laùra.
"First of all, I'm absolutely committed to dualling the A9 no ifs, no buts no maybes about it from Perth to Inverness.
"We know that first and foremost, it's about safety.
"We've seen far too many tragedies on the A9 so we have to dual the A9.
"At the same time I hope most people would understand that we've got a responsibility in relation to public finances.
Government 'couldn't accept' bid for A9 section - Yousaf
"The bid we received for the Tomatin to Moy section, we could not accept it given our responsibility to our public finances.
"I suspect that the public, possibly even the opposition would've been the first ones to drag us over the hot coals for spending that kind of public money for that section.
"I'd be happy to look at the procurement process.
"Obviously I was involved with some of this when I was Transport minister.
"There is a question about how we perhaps 'de-risk' or even share some of the risk within the process.
"I think that's a really good suggestion. I'd be happy to look at that if I'm leader of the SNP and First Minister of the country.
"We've got to make sure that communities living on the A9, and I may well include the A96 here as well, have confidence that the government is going to stand by not just its manifesto commitments, but do so in a way which shows and demonstrates our commitment by getting work done quickly as best we possibly can.
"But, we've always got to consider the public finance.
"I think the suggestion from Laùra about de-risking the process is really important and also making sure the supply chain feeds into local businesses as well, because these are multi million pound contracts."
Kate Forbes' response
Ms Forbes said: "Laùra has done an incredible job over the last few months, raising the profile of the A9.
"I live at one end of the A9, we know how profoundly sad it has been last year to see so many fatalities on the A9.
"The need to dual the A9 is not just an economic question it is about keeping people safe.
"Laùra is absolutely right that we need to review the approach to procurement.
"She is right in saying that Transport Scotland absolutely need to reform the approach to procurement so that it attracts more tenders.
Procurement process needs reviewed - Forbes
"I don't believe the most recent procurement process attracted many tenders at all, because it isn't attractive.
"We have to remember there has been a lot of groundwork done on the A9 dualling.
"Work has been ongoing for probably about 10 years and to see all that work wasted would be devastating, so we do need ensure that Transport Scotland are reviewing the procurement process.
"I think Laùra is right in some of the suggestions for example bundling into small chunks, ensuring there is more support and making it more attractive.
"It's not going to be the public sector that dual the A9 in terms of laying the tarmac, it is going to be private contractors.
"They can get work anyway, so we need to ensure that it is an attractive contract for them.
"I am absolutely committed to dualling the A9 and to do that as soon as possible.
"I would like to first of all see what Transport Scotland can do to make up for lost time and then to dual the rest as quickly as possible.
"2050 is far too long, so I think we should be aiming for this decade."