Scottish Government told in 2018 how A9 dualling target date was unachievable
New evidence on the matter has been released today.
Last updated 14th Dec 2023
New evidence shows how a Scottish Government minister was told in 2018 the 2025 target date for dualling the A9 between Inverness and Perth was unachievable
Documents detail how the then Cabinet Secretary for Transport Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, was given that answer when he asked about possible private financing options for the programme.
The evidence was submitted to Holyrood's Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee who're currently conducting an inquiry into the dualling project.
Commenting on new details released today, the committee's convener Jackson Carlaw said it was clear Scottish ministers have "known for a considerable length of time that the 2025 deadline was in jeopardy."
Earlier this year, Jenny Gilruth confirmed the project wouldn't be completed by 2025, more than four years after Matheson was told the timetable was "not achievable"
According to an evidence summary supplied by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), advice was given to Michael Matheson on August 12th 2018 following a request for information on possible private financing of the A9 and A96 dualling projects.
It detailed how 'delivery of these programmes within their 2025 and 2030 deadlines will require annual capital funding between financial years 2022-23 and 2025-26 of £800m to £900m.' and how 'pursuing a private financing model would mean the 2025 deadline would not be met.'
Later that year, an extract from a cabinet briefing paper notes how 'the revised approach to deliver will mean the 2025 timescale is not achievable.'
It has also emerged how Scottish Ministers have never formally agreed how the construction of eight of the 11 sections of the major infrastructure project are to be funded.
They were also warned two years ago that fully dualling the A9 road could take until 2034 and cost almost £7.2 billion - more than double the original £3 billion estimate.
In a written submission to the committee, First Minister Humza Yousaf, himself a former transport minister, made clear his "continued determination to see the A9 dualled".
Mr Yousaf described upgrading the entire road to dual-carriageway as a "vital part" of Scottish Government efforts "to support the residents and businesses in the Highlands".
He added the work is "also of national economic importance to Scotland".
But speaking about the papers received, Mr Carlaw said: "The evidence we've received is stark, revealing a piecemeal process, with concerns raised repeatedly about spiralling costs and delays to completion.
"It's evident that the Scottish Government have known for a considerable length of time that the 2025 deadline was in jeopardy, however it's less clear what action ministers have taken to address this."
Mr Carlaw said the committee will review the evidence it has received when it meets on December 20.
At that meeting, he said committee members will "consider our next steps, including if further evidence is required from Transport Scotland officials or previous transport ministers".
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "The advice provided in 2018 related specifically to the impact of moving to a Mutual Investment Model (private finance) .
"It did not relate to a traditional capital funding model.
"It was in late 2022 that Transport Scotland knew with certainty that the 2025 date could not be achieved."