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Improving transport links to Inverness
05/08/2008
Rail improvements cutting the journey time from Inverness to Edinburgh by 35 minutes will bring more business and visitors to Inverness, the heart of the Highlands, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.
Mr Salmond was speaking at Inverness Town House earlier today following the meeting of the Scottish Government's Cabinet, where he reiterated the Government's commitment to improve transport links, including plans for the dualling of the A9.
He said:
"Transport is a fundamental part of the Scottish Government's drive to encourage sustainable economic growth.
"These rail works will cut journey times, improve connections and shift more freight from roads to rail. The faster train journey between the capital city and the capital of the Highlands will undoubtedly attract even more visitors and businesses to the area.
"Equally, we have been clear in our commitment to invest in the A9 on a continuing basis. Key sections of the A9 have already seen improvements, with a programme of further works currently being taking forward. However, we must do more and that's why we will be giving very careful consideration to the options in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.
"Better, safer and faster transport links are key to our work to drive tourism, more investment and better opportunities into the Highlands to increase sustainable economic growth. When we make these important decisions, they will ensure improvements to road and railway networks will reduce congestion and respect the environment, improve road safety and unlock new economic opportunities for all of Scotland."
The (STPR) review is assessing the needs of the whole of Scotland's transport network and identifying the priorities for investment. As part of this, detailed work is being done on appraising trunk roads, identifying where the problems may be, costing possible solutions, and drawing up detailed design plans for action to improve our roads.
Key sections of the A9 have already seen improvements. A new flyover junction at Ballinluig has delivered major safety improvements at a key section of the road. And later this month, a major upgrade of the Helmsdale section of the A9 will be completed, improving safety and traffic flow. We have also accelerated work to dual the Birnam to Luncarty section, and have asked Transport Scotland to identify the immediate priorities for further investment in the A9.
A further programme of key investment over the next four years is already in action including work on dualling, inserting overtaking lanes, building junction improvements and reconstruction schemes at Kincraig, Loch Moy, Bankfoot, Crubenmore, Carrbridge, Kincraig to Dalraddy, Slochd and Kindallchan.
In detail, this involves more than doubling the dualled section at Crubenmore and constructing nearly 10 Km of overtaking lanes at four separate sections between Perth and Inverness in the next four years.
Further investment options, including how best to dual the A9, will emerge from the Strategic Transport Projects Review which will report to Ministers shortly.