EXCLUSIVE: Alex Salmond expresses "anger" over A9 dualling project
His former party made the pledge while he was leader in 2007, with a further promise in 2011.
A former First Minister says he's "grievously disappointed" the current Scottish Government are no longer aiming to fully dual the A9 between Inverness and Perth by 2025.
Alex Salmond's former party made the pledge while he was leader in 2007, with a further commitment in 2011.
He maintains the SNP plans were "ambitious, but perfectly realisable" when the pledge was made.
"Nothing wrong" with A9 project in 2014
Before he stepped down as First Minister and SNP Leader, Mr Salmond outlined how design contracts for major sections of the route were awarded in 2014 and feels this was a major step towards ensuring plans for the A9 would be completed by 2025.
He said: "They were ambitious, but they were perfectly realisable.
"As was indicated when the design contracts were made in 2014.
"On that schedule this road should be completed by 2025.
"There was nothing wrong with this project in 2014 to be completed in 2025, I mean that's 11 years.
"Let's look at some other road projects we did, the M80, the M8 completion motorway, the M74, the Aberdeen peripheral route."
Pledges made "in good faith"
Mr Salmond also outlined how he shares the frustration felt by residents across the North of Scotland.
He added: "I'm grievously disappointed that this commitment, which was made in good faith and was on schedule when I left office, has been reneged upon.
"The reasons which were given look to me to be pathetic excuses and not satisfactory and I can well understand why the Highlands are up in arms."
Since the Transport Secretary confirmed the A9 won't be dualled by 2025 exactly a week ago, calls have been mounting for an inquiry into the project.
However, Mr Salmond doesn't feel this is the way forward and also highlighted his disappointment over progress to dual the A96 by 2030.
He said: "Honestly, it's time they got on with things.
"They need to get back to a timetable and they need address the difficulties.
"Convince the Highlands that this time things are going to develop, not just for the A9, but for the A96.
"I feel a great deal of anger the timetables haven't been kept to."
Renewed timescale for completion expected in Autumn
When we approached the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland for comment on Mr Salmond's remarks, we were advised to refer to Jenny Gilruth's Holyrood statement and following media release.
Ms Gilruth outlined to Parliament last Wednesday how procurement for the Tomatin to Moy section only received one submission, which Transport Scotland say did not "represent best value for the taxpayer."
She outlined how this and other factors affected the decision.
Ms Gilruth said: "It is true that the target date set always represented an ambitious challenge.
"It was reliant on the timely and positive outcome of a range of factors such as completing public and stakeholder consultation; statutory approval processes; market capacity; supply chain availability and availability of funding, all of which have been significantly impacted by the events I outlined earlier.
"This has made this 2025 date simply unachievable.
“Transport Scotland is urgently considering a range of different options to provide Ministers advice on the most efficient way in which to dual the remaining sections.
"That consideration will include updating the evaluation of options involving the use of design & build contracts, to reflect changes to contractual terms and conditions developed from engagement with the construction industry.
"I expect to have that advice by Autumn 2023 at which time I will update Parliament to put forward a renewed timescale for completion.
"Our investment of over £430 million to date means much has already been achieved and while much is still to be done, this Government is absolutely committed to completing the A9 Dualling programme."
During the Ministerial statement, Ms Gilruth also outlined what action was being taken to address immediate safety concerns.
She added: "I announced an investment of approximately £5 million in additional road safety measures for the A9 back in December.
"I am pleased to confirm that these have now commenced and are progressing well, as confirmed by BEAR Scotland at the A9 Safety Group last week in Inverness.
"This includes enhancements to signing and road markings, initially between Birnam and Dalguise, and installation of eight electronic signs to display safety messages at key locations between Perth and Inverness.
"Furthermore, a road safety campaign targeting driver fatigue will begin on 13 February and preparations for a drive on the left campaign are well underway ahead of an Easter launch."