Works on Nairn Bypass and A96 dualling between Inverness and Auldearn could see timeline before Scottish Elections in May 2026
A timeline for work to dual the A96 section between Inverness and Nairn could be published before the next Scottish Parliament elections.
Giving evidence at today’s meeting of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, Fiona Hyslop said she would be open to providing a statement committing to the publication of a timescale for works on the scheme - which includes the creation of a Nairn Bypass - before the end of this session of parliament next year.
The response came after pressure from Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, who questioned the SNP transport minister within the discussion on The Inverness Courier’s petition calling for a timeline to be published before Easter 2025.
During the meeting Mr Ewing - who branded the project as “the longest undelivered promise of the Scottish Government that [exists] now” - urged Ms Hyslop to provide “a clear and unambiguous assurance” that a ministerial statement will be issued before the end of this session of parliament, setting out a detailed timetable for the delivery of the dual road between Inverness and Auldearn.
He also asked for the statement to include “a firm date” as to when the work will be completed.”
In response, Ms Hyslop said: “Would I want to make a statement? And would I be open to making a statement on the A96 Inverness to Nairn bypass before the end of parliament? Of course I would.
“I would want to be able to provide as much information as I can.
“Anybody who's experienced with this parliament knows that it's not me who decides if I make a statement. It's actually parliament who decides. So yes, I am open to making that statement.”
She also announced that the process of land acquisition is set to start on April 21, setting what Ms Hyslop said is a “definitive point” in the process.
She said: “As far back as last summer, I was making it very clear and publicly and openly that a timetable could only be determined once we'd completed the full stages of the process. This will take place from April 21, so that is the definitive point in terms of where we can move to the next stage.
“As I have been quite clear and open, the timetable will be determined by the type of procurement that we progress. Ideally, use of capital gives us more control in terms of different aspects and timescales.
“The other aspect is whether we do all of it in one package, whether we align it with the Inshes to Smithton scheme, or whether we progress the bypass as its own aspect.
“It was quite clear that there's really a need to get the bypass aspect of this done very early.”
When questioned about the delays on the project — which was initially pledged in 2011— she said that more than 120 objections to the draft orders published in 2016 sparked a public local inquiry, which started in 2018, and a report was published in 2019. In 2021, it was announced that the project would go forward, “following consideration of the objections”.
However, she recognised that there had been a delay between then and the publication of the Made Orders in 2024, which provide the Scottish Government with powers to acquire the land necessary to build the scheme.
Mr Ewing asked whether Scotland could take inspiration from Germany — whose government set out a plan of all roads infrastructure to be conducted by 2030 - to give certainty to members of the public waiting for upgrades, as well as to contractors being able to foresee a continuous stream of work.
Whilst welcoming the idea, Ms Hyslop said this wasn’t possible due to its dependence on UK government’s budgeting.
She said: “The distinction with Germany is it is an independent country. It controls all of its provisions in terms of what it can raise. And why is that important? Because the fluctuation we've had recently in terms of our capital budget has caused issues around long-term planning.”
