Scottish Government Faces Criticism Over A9 Dualling Delays

Concerns are mounting over the lack of progress on the A9 road dualling project as announcements from the Scottish Government appear timed with the upcoming Holyrood elections. Critics, including Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Fergus Ewing, have expressed frustration at the prolonged delay, attributing it to the government’s shifting strategies for funding.

The Scottish Government previously indicated intentions to finance the A9 project through private capital, a process that has not gained momentum and has now been declared impractical. This situation is reminiscent of previous efforts over the last decade, where the government took years to explore similar funding models before concluding they were too expensive. Ewing highlighted that the government has blamed various external factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, and most recently, the Ukraine war, for the lack of advancement on the A9 dualling.

As of now, the Scottish Government has acknowledged that private funding via the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) is no longer a viable option. This revelation comes after years of delays, with much of this parliamentary session (2021 to 2026) spent in discussions rather than actions. The Petitions Committee recognized in their review of a submission from local resident Laura Hansler that previous delays were largely due to indecision over funding mechanisms.

Despite these setbacks, the Scottish Government has a substantial capital budget of £6,014 million for the fiscal year 2024-2025, which raises questions about their commitment to the Highlands. Ewing pointed out that the government does not need to rely on private financing, as they have more than enough funds available to complete the A9 dualling, estimated to be finished by 2035.

The pattern of announcing positive developments just before elections has not gone unnoticed. Ewing recalled that the last significant announcement regarding the A9, specifically the approval of the Tomatin-Moy section for dualling, also occurred at the end of a parliamentary session. This trend has left many Highland residents feeling disillusioned and insulted by the perceived manipulation of information.

In a separate but related issue, Ewing also raised concerns regarding the case of Sandy Peggie, a nurse who has faced significant challenges after complaining about workplace conditions. The legal costs associated with her case have reportedly reached nearly £500,000, raising alarms about the accountability of public bodies such as the Fife Health Board. Ewing criticized the Scottish Government for its inaction and suggested that they have the legal authority to intervene but have chosen not to do so.

As the Scottish Government prepares for an announcement on overall capital spending in January, followed by a Ministerial Statement regarding the A9, the situation remains fluid. The upcoming decisions will be closely scrutinized by constituents who have been left waiting for tangible results. Ewing’s comments underline a growing sentiment that the government must act decisively to address both the infrastructure challenges in the Highlands and the accountability of public health organizations.