Scottish Government hails further progress on delivering A96 dualling and Nairn bypass
The Scottish Government is claiming progress in plans to dual the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, including the creation of a Nairn bypass.
It said today that work by Transport Scotland to take forward the final stage of the process to acquire the land required to construct the scheme has now been completed, with the General Vesting Declaration for the land required having been executed yesterday.
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This formal procedure gives Scottish ministers title to the land included in the made Compulsory Purchase Order.
Scottish Ministers will take title to the land on April 21.
Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I understand the importance of the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme to those living and working in the town of Nairn and the wider area and we are committed to delivering it.
“The publication of Made Orders for the scheme last year was a strong sign of our commitment to deliver this vital project.
“Following completion of the statutory process, we confirmed through the Programme for Government, which is specifically a programme until September, that we would take forward the final stage of the process for acquisition of land required for the project.
“The procedural steps to make this happen have now been completed, delivering a further key milestone for the project.
“We also continue to progress the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering the scheme and thereafter a timetable for progress can then be set in line with available budgets.”
And she added: “At the same time we are also continuing to press ahead with the necessary procedural steps to take forward the final stage in the process to acquire the land required for the adjacent A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton scheme and expect this to be completed shortly.”
