YOUR VIEWS: A9 dualling delay 'pathetic' – or are problems really down to drivers?

The confirmation by transport minister Jenny Gilruth last week that the 2025 deadline for dualling of the A9 between Inverness and Perth would not be met resulted in a barrage of comment from readers.

Who is really to blame for road accidents?

I have read with interest your coverage of the time scale on dualling the A9.

Blaming the SNP government on the time scale, quoting 850 crashes, 116 deaths – all blaming the the road and the government.

But one statistic that hasn’t being published is how many of these accidents were caused by driver error ie speed, recklessness, poor judgment.

It would be interesting to see this statistic then watch people’s reaction to it – or would it stay the same? Blame the government, blame the road, but how dare anyone blame the motorists that drive the A9.

Jim Mackenzie

by email

Excuses on A9 are ‘pathetic’

Jenny Gilruth’s excuses for failing to meet the 2025 deadline for completion of the A9 dualling project are pathetic.

Completion of only two short sections so far, and no signs of preparations elsewhere (bar Moy-Tomatin recently) made it very obvious to us regular A9 users long ago that the target would never be met.

Absolutely nothing to do with Brexit, pandemic and the Ukraine war. Dishonest and insulting statement by Ms Gilruth.

Hamish Johnston

by email

No excuses for missing the deadline

“No surprise really. Since the SNP jumped into bed with the Green Party they have been stalling on much needed investment in transport links to the Highlands. Next step will be announcement that the Nairn bypass and A96 upgrade will not be delivered either. Fed up with the SNP prevaricating on this issue.” – Donald Wilson, Nairn

“This is typical of the Scottish Government they would rather spend the money on another independence campaign than try and dual the A9 and save lives.” – Billy Ogg, Inverness

“I think that the point is well made that the Covid pandemic and Brexit should not be used as excuses for not meeting the promised 2025 A9 dualling. It was evident years ago that the target was always going to be missed. Once again a broken promise.” – Niall Maitland, Inverness

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