A96: Fears over £37m spent on preparation work could be "thrown down the drain"

Over £37 million already spent on two stretches of the A96 in preparation for dualling could be "thrown down the drain", MSPs fear.

New figures, obtained through a freedom of information request, show the Scottish Government has spent £37.4 million on prepping two sections between Aberdeen and Inverness.

A £5 million review into the plans to fully dual the A96 is now over a year late.

Since 2018, £19.8 million has been spent on preparation works between East of Huntly, whilst the stretch between Hardmuir and Fochabers has seen a further £17.6 million.

An additional £12 million has been spent on work to dual the section between Inverness and Nairn, including the Nairn Bypass.

However, the Scottish Government has confirmed the process for compulsory purchase orders on this section has already started.

"Thrown down the drain"

Transport minister Fiona Hyslop refused a meeting request from Scottish Conservative North East MSP Douglas Lumsden to discuss why a review into the other stretches of the A96 has been delayed by more than a year, saying she has a “fully committed diary”.

Mr Lumsden said: “The sleekit handling of the A96 dualling from this SNP-Green Government continues to be a disgrace and a slap in the face to North East communities.

“It would be a public scandal if more than £37 million of taxpayers’ money was thrown down the drain simply to appease the SNP’s Green coalition partners to the detriment of residents.

“The public rightly want answers to ensure their money hasn’t gone to waste but the Scottish Government’s continued wall of silence and relentless push of their needless review of the project gives them no confidence of this happening."

Buckie-based Highlands and Islands Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle added: “The Inverness to Nairn section is just one piece of the promised jigsaw and the Scottish Government must ensure the Hardmuir to Fochabers stretch and the Keith Bypass aren’t just forgotten about.

“The constant neglect of the A96 is risking the safety of motorists, hampering our emergency services and putting off potential investors in our economy across Moray."

Scottish Government "committed" to upgrade

Transport Scotland said a draft outcome from the review is expected to be consulted on in the coming months before a final decision can be made.

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: "As we have made clear on a number of occasions, including through our Programme for Government, the Scottish Government is committed to improving the A96.

"The current plan is to fully dual the route and as part of this process we are undertaking a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme, which includes a Climate Compatibility Assessment and other statutory assessments.

"The previous design work carried out on the Hardmuir to Fochabers and East of Huntly sections is helping inform the Review.

“The significant interest in the review’s initial consultation, with nearly 4,600 responses, generated 11,000 options to improve the corridor and it’s only right that appropriate time has been taken to examine and fully appraise these.

"It is expected that the draft outcomes from the Review will be consulted on in the coming months, before a final decision can be reached.”