Dual The A9

First Minister John Swinney unveiled the Programme for Government which Fergus Ewing says shows dualling has been ‘parked’.

Exactly one year out from the vote we look at the issues, parties and the pitfalls.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop says she has her ‘foot to the floor’ and is determined to see it through.

Temporary traffic lights will be installed on the busy A9 for three weeks next month as part of the ongoing dualling work between Tomatin and Moy.

A new A9 roundabout is now up and running as contractors work on the newest section of dual carriageway south of Inverness.

Work to dual the A9 between Tomatin and Moy will see overnight traffic signals introduced for two weeks from April 28.

Liberal Democrat leaders Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ed Davey both sign The Inverness Courier’s Pledge to finish the dualling project.

Lib Dem Angus Macdonald says ‘for so many people across the Highlands, it feels like nothing works anymore’

He confirms that ‘with great sadness’ he is to stand down as SNP MSP at the 2026 Holyrood election but may yet stand as an independent.

The Inverness and Nairn MSP leaves door open to run as an independent but says he ‘simply cannot defend the record of the SNP Government’.

So is the party about to shoot itself in the foot and make Inverness and Nairn competitive over the outspoken Highland MSP?

Lanes at those locations are ‘restricted in both directions due to continuous essential roadworks’.

Fergus Ewing warns ‘never make the same mistake twice when you can make it five or six times and be sure’.

He will also call for the Nairn bypass with the A9 dualling to expedite both projects.

SNP MSP Fergus Ewing hits out, claiming the Transport Scotland report is ‘no more than a sham’.

In a Holyrood speech the veteran MSP calls for an ‘entirely new approach’

Laura Hansler says ‘it’s just beyond disgusting’ before adding ‘this has given the public no assurances, no reassurances’.

The work is due to start on January 20 and last for up to three weeks.

The agency also issued a warning that starting early next month there will be further disruption south of Drumochter.

He says an effort was made to ‘to deny the delays were because of failures by anyone in government or that uber-quango Transport Scotland’.