Calls for action ahead of Holyrood debate on A9 and A96
Dualling projects will be debated by MSPs today, following a number of recent deaths.
Last updated 3rd Nov 2022
The Scottish Government are being urged to deliver "crucial, life-saving upgrades" to two of Scotland's most dangerous roads.
A motion will be debated in Holyrood today, following a spate of recent deaths on both the A9 and A96.
It is being brought forward by the Scottish Conservatives, who say the "shocking death toll" on both roads can't be accepted.
A new campaign group focused on holding Scottish Ministers on pledges to dual the A9 between Inverness and Perth say the lack of progress "is not in any way respectful to any of the families who have lost loved ones."
Increase in road deaths "horrific"
In the last three years, there have been 13 deaths and 180 injuries as a result of collisions on the A96.
The A9's death toll this year is currently at its highest rate since 2010.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Graham Simpson MSP says progress from the Scottish Government has been "painfully slow"
He said: "The tragic spike in fatal collisions on the A9 and A96 this year is horrific – and highlights the need for action from the Scottish Government now.
"We can’t simply accept this shocking death toll, especially when there’s something we can do to tackle it.
"Both these trunk roads would become safer overnight if they were fully dualled.
"SNP ministers must stop pandering to their anti-car coalition partners – the Scottish Greens – and get on with delivering these crucial, life-saving upgrades now.
"Progress on delivering what is a long-standing SNP commitment has been painfully – indeed fatally – slow.
"That’s unacceptable. Ministers must stop dithering and spell out an accelerated timetable for completion.
"While saving lives is the paramount consideration here, these upgrades would also boost Scotland’s economy.
"While we all want to see a reduction in unnecessary car use, what the Scottish Greens fail to understand is that for many people in remote parts of Scotland, the car is not a luxury but a necessity, due to limited public transport options.
"It’s imperative, then, that we do everything to provide them with roads that are as safe as possible."
A9 group feel "every single death"
A new campaign group was set-up last month, focused on holding the Scottish Government to account on upgrade promises to one of the roads.
A9 Dual Action Group's Laura Hansler, from Kincraig, explained why they decided to take action.
She said: "Every time you hear a siren, you do bristle. You start to wonder what's going on.
"As a community the entire length of the A9, we're holding our breath and then you know the road is closed.
"You know what's going to happen, you know what news is coming and then you learn of a death.
"Every single death, we feel.
"We feel in some way responsible because it's our road. Surely we should be able to protect people's loved ones out on that road.
"It is simply not good enough, it is not good enough for the communities and it is not in any way respectful to any of the families who have lost loved ones out there.
"I was contacted by the families of a couple of the deceased that we had lost on the A9.
"It has been something I've been thinking about, but I had to make sure I could give it the attention it truly deserved.
"The entire focus for the A9 Dual Action group is a legal focus where we will hold Government bodies accountable for our communities, for those people who have lost their lives.
"We want answers, we will take this down a legal route where answers must be given at each stage.
"We will seek those answers for everyone who has lost their lives and for the loved ones whose life has been changed forever."
"Roads cannot be dualled overnight"
The Scottish Government say they continue to prioritise safety across the country's roads.
A spokesperson for Scotland’s Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth said: "A single death on Scotland’s roads is one too many and the recent accidents on the A9 and other roads like the A96 are a tragedy for everyone involved.
"We are working with Police Scotland and our agencies to understand the circumstances of these accidents but, as investigations continue, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
"Unfortunately, roads cannot be dualled overnight and the Scottish Government – which has already invested some £400 million in dualling the A9 – continues to prioritise safety across Scotland’s road network.
"There is undoubtedly a place and a need for a respectful debate on this issue, not least on how we continue to invest in the safety and resilience of the network against a backdrop of reducing capital budgets.
"Sadly, it does not look like we will get that approach from the Scottish Tories.
"Mr Simpson’s remarks would carry more sincerity if they weren’t accompanied by needless political point scoring."