Climate change: Concerns dualling of A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen could be cancelled by climate targets

The net zero secretary was pressed on plans to dual the A9 and A96

Concerns have been raised that long-standing promises to dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen could be ditched due to climate targets.

Liam Kerr, the Scottish Tory MSP for the North East, said the prospect of a “veto” by the Scottish Greens due to climate concerns was “very real”. Mairi McAllan, the Cabinet secretary for net zero and transport, told MSPs on Tuesday morning there would be developments around the A96 over the summer, including the results of a climate compatibility test.

Asked by Mr Kerr about the plans to dual the road, she said: “We are taking forward the work, part of that was a climate compatibility test. We’ve got outcomes of work that we have done that are due to be available this summer and then they will go to for final consultation.

Minister for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan gave evidence to the net zero committee on Tuesday

"If it’s helpful in any way, there will be developments this summer. I suppose all of our considerations in respect of the project could have a bearing on it, but I will set out more details of that this summer for a final consultation.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Kerr said her comments suggested the project could yet be ditched. The MSP said: “Judging by the Cabinet secretary for transport’s responses, the Scottish Green sword of Damocles is still very much hanging over the promise to fully dual the A96.

“The dualling project is a life-saving undertaking, made a long time ago, which the SNP promised to honour. It is not a political point to be knocked about within the Bute House bubble.

“Anyone in the North East listening in, hoping for some clarity on the SNP’s plans, will have been left disappointed.

“The prospect of a veto by Patrick Harvie and company remains very real, and Mairi McAllan seems just as unable as her predecessors to stop it.”

Dualling the A9 and A96 have been long-standing promises of the SNP while in government. Lack of progress has become symbolic of government failure for many in the north east.

The Government has also been criticised for a lack of action by one of its former ministers, Fergus Ewing.

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