Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay visited an A96 accident hotspot to underline his party’s campaign calling on the SNP government to fully dual the Aberdeen to Inverness road.
His visit to Brodie, Moray, comes just a week after the SNP government abandoned its commitment to make the A96 fully dual carriageway by 2030.
Mr Findlay was joined by Douglas Ross MSP, Scottish Conservative Moray group leader Kathleen Robertson, and councillors Barbara Jarvie, Amber Dunbar, Elaine Kirby and John Bruce to see first-hand the dangers of the road.
A review, commissioned by Transport Scotland costing taxpayers £6 million, recommended not dualling the remaining 86 miles of the road despite the SNP’s pledge to fully dual it in 2011.
But 13 years and 16 transport ministers later, another consultation has been lodged following the review.
Mr Findlay’s visit comes a month after Paulina Zogota, 27, died on the A96, east of Brodie, after a collision between a car and a lorry.
The Scottish Conservatives’ A96 campaign seeks to gather support from the public to stop the SNP from rowing back on their commitment, describing the situation as a “matter of life or death”.
On his visit to Brodie, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Having driven on the A96 multiple times, this visit was another eye-opener into the dangers of this treacherous road.
“Dualling the A96 can be the difference between life and death, which is why our campaign sends a strong message to the SNP to reject this politically driven review and to get on with delivering on their promise.
“The SNP’s reluctance to upgrade the A96 is a betrayal to the families whose loved ones have tragically died or suffered injuries on the road.
“That is why are calling on the SNP to use some common sense for a change, and fully dual the A96 to give a safer and improved journey between Aberdeen and Inverness, drive the economy forward and ensure our emergency services can get where they need to without delays.”
Scottish Conservative Moray group leader Kathleen Robertson added: “Russell Findlay’s visit underlined that he is fully committed to dualling the A96.
“More than a decade since the SNP made the promise to dual this road, communities across Moray are again being let down by this inadequate Scottish Government, who are abandoning rural areas.
“I back our Scottish Conservative campaign to dual the A96, which would open Moray to inward investment, business growth, increased connectivity and improve safety.
“Only the Scottish Conservatives are truly committed to the full dualling of the A96 to guarantee our communities a trunk road that is fit for the 21st century.”
