Minister outlines schedule for dual A9

THE long-awaited upgrade of the A9 to a full dual carriageway will begin in 2017, it has been announced.

The road from Perth to Inverness, which has seen many serious accidents over the years, is scheduled to be completely dualled by 2025.

Transport minister Keith Brown visited Morayshire yesterday to open the A96 Fochabers to Mosstodloch bypass, completed early and on budget at £31.5 million.

He then stopped off in Perth to announce the 2017 construction start date for the A9 Luncarty to Birnam scheme.

Mr Brown said such construction projects simply did not happen overnight, but revealed the design work was already well under way in the hope of achieving a 2025 opening target.

Detailed exhibitions were being held this week to keep the public informed, he added.