SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has welcomed the publication of a parliamentary report into the A9 dualling programme, stating that the onus is now on the Scottish Government to demonstrate its commitment to the revised delivery plan and rebuild public trust. 

Speaking in the chamber, Emma made sure to highlight the strength of feeling which exists within Highland communities, where many live with a constant fear for their own safety and the safety of loved ones on the A9. 

Whilst emphasising the report’s findings that past delays have been avoidable and that the Scottish Government has been guilty of lacking transparency, Emma stressed that the focus must now be on achieving progress. In extending her thoughts to all those impacted by accidents on the road, Emma affirmed her view that the best way to honour those who have lost their lives is to see the A9 dualled as quickly as possible. 

Commenting, Emma said:

“While I do like to focus on what’s next, and I think that progress is far more important than recriminations, it is absolutely right that a committee in this parliament has taken to scrutinising past delays.  That’s not only useful learning for other large projects in the future, but will build resilience into the A9 plan from here on out.  

Not everything can be foreseen, like COVID and Brexit, but how events are reacted to and dealt with does make a difference.  Delays like the incredibly disappointing one to Tomatin to Moy, which came about due to procurement issues, were avoidable, and reacting to changes in funding can be done with greater speed than we have seen.

People have been let down and the government was not upfront about timescale slippage as quickly as it could have been.  Two years ago, I told a previous minister that trust had to be rebuilt.  My own trust is being steadily rebuilt.  So far, the Cabinet Secretary’s actions have aligned with her words, I have found her incredibly approachable, honest, and responsive when raising issues, and – most importantly –  there are spades in the ground.

My focus now will be continuing to attend regular meetings with Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary to oversee progress and raise issues as they are brought to me by constituents, using my voice to push this along. This report’s recommendations set a fair and firm expectation on what that should look like.”