Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 02 November 2022
02 Nov 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Road Improvements
My colleague Mr Mountain makes a very good point. I know that communities along the A9 are now wondering whether the project will ever be completed. The involvement of the anti-road Greens in the Government has added to their concern. It is noteworthy that, as Graham Simpson pointed out, the Government amendment to today’s motion does not restate a commitment to A9 dualling. That is unfortunate. We need to be clear that it will proceed, and we need to know when.
I am regularly contacted by constituents who live beside or close to the A9 and who want clarity on the route. That is particularly the case in communities such as Dunkeld and Birnam, where the A9 passes very close to people’s homes and businesses. Without a clear plan and timetable, those properties are effectively blighted. We need clarity, and we need it soon.
There are strong economic arguments for the benefits to Perthshire and the Highlands and Islands from completing A9 dualling but, to me, the issue is principally one of road safety. Too many people have died on the A9 single carriageways. They are dying this year and they will continue to die. That is why we need action now, and it is why we should support Mr Simpson’s motion.
17:04In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-06520, in the name of Graham Simpson, on essential road improvements. 16:34
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
We have been here before. Nearly a year ago we held an almost identical debate, calling on the Scottish Government to reaffirm its commitment to dualling the...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Simpson is bringing his remarks to a close.
Graham Simpson
Con
I am happy to take the intervention.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You will have to conclude your speech within your allotted seven minutes.
Finlay Carson
Con
Will Mr Simpson join me in welcoming the news that, after concerted efforts from the Conservative benches, the Scottish Government has dropped its grievance-...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Graham Simpson, you have 20 seconds left.
Graham Simpson
Con
I thoroughly agree with Mr Carson, who is a champion of these roads. I do not want to be here, moving this motion, because it should not be necessary. With ...
The Minister for Transport (Jenny Gilruth)
SNP
I thank the Conservatives for bringing forward today’s motion for debate. The tone of the motion is respectful to the families of those who have lost loved o...
Graham Simpson
Con
Of course, short-term measures can have an effect, but would the minister accept that fully dualling both of those roads could lead to a significant improvem...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I think that Mr Simpson makes a fair assertion. If he does not mind, I will come to that later in my remarks. We have made that investment and, this year, w...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am grateful to hear that commitment to fully dual the A96, which I hope to see come to fruition. The minister was written to in September by Moray Chamber ...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I am happy to do so. I apologise to Mr Ross and to Moray Chamber of Commerce, and I will ensure that it receives a response from my private office. As membe...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Minister, I appreciate that you took two interventions, which I am sure that members wanted to hear your responses to, but I must ask you to wind up.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I move amendment S6M-06520.2, to leave out from “believes that” to end and insert: “and indeed the pain caused by all fatalities and serious accidents acros...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Graham Simpson for bringing the debate to the chamber. I would normally say about one of his debates that I welcome the debate, but, as he acknowledg...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Today, Neil Bibby and I were in a meeting with the A75 and A77 action group—the A77 campaign team. What is the member’s response to the group’s assertion tha...
Neil Bibby
Lab
I will come on to that. I thank Mr Whittle for his intervention. Investment to upgrade transport infrastructure is not just an issue for the north and north...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Neil Bibby
Lab
I certainly will take an intervention. I would be grateful if the minister could clarify whether the Greens have a veto on SNP roads policy—yes or no?
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I do not appreciate two members separately taking words that were given in a private meeting with a group in relation to a road earlier today—Interruption. W...
Neil Bibby
Lab
I notice that the minister did not answer my question about whether the Greens have a veto on SNP policy. She is not denying the claim that was made. As I s...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I, too, thank Graham Simpson for allowing Parliament to have this debate and for setting its tone, which I think has been entirely in keeping with the seriou...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. 17:00
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
At the outset, I associate myself with all the comments that Liam McArthur made, in what was a well-informed contribution on the issues. The A9 trunk road b...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
On the A9 between Perth and Inverness, there are only two areas where compulsory purchase of land for dualling would be difficult—at Dunkeld and Aviemore. Th...
Murdo Fraser
Con
My colleague Mr Mountain makes a very good point. I know that communities along the A9 are now wondering whether the project will ever be completed. The invo...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
The recent accidents on the A9 are, of course, a tragedy for everyone involved, and my sympathies are with the families and friends of everyone affected by t...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?