Letter: A9 safety record

Contrary to your recent article (7 June) which called the A9 "Scotland's most deadly road", the A9 between Perth and Inverness has in fact a better than average safety performance in terms of miles travelled. The accident rate for the single-carriageway section is less than half that of the Scottish trunk road average for single carriageways.

Since making our commitment to dualling the A9 from Perth to Inverness on a progressive basis – the first government ever to do so – significant progress has already been made.

We have already completed a number of major imrovements to the A9 including Bankfoot, Carrbridge and Ballingluig, with more improvements under construction or in procurement.

The Scottish Government is delivering the biggest construction programme seen in a generation, improving connections across Scotland, including the Highlands. Our track record on the A9 clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving Scotland's longest trunk road as we deliver an improved transport infrastructure across Scotland.

STEWART STEVENSON MSP

Minister for Transport

Edinburgh