SNP dithering on transport projects - McInnes

3.22.00pm GMT Tue 24th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP today expressed disappointment that the Scottish Government is holding up work on key transport improvements.

She suggested that the SNP is stalling on promises to dual the A9 and that it has failed to make the necessary funding available to complete a radical overhaul of the A82. She also accused Ministers of dithering over the Inverness bypass.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"The SNP Government must stop stalling on key transport decisions. The only real action taken by this government, as opposed to press released aspirations, was already planned by the previous administration.

"The Transport Minister's attempt to blame the previous administration for his dithering about the Inverness bypass was ridiculous. The Minister has had 13 months now to move planning for the by-pass forward and all he has done is cite the Strategic Transport Projects Review and bat requests for action into the long grass.

"The SNP continue to stall on promises made before the election to dual the A9. Ministers have yet to make all the funding available for the radical overhaul necessary to make the A82 a safer road.

"The Minister cannot dodge making political decisions on these transport projects indefinitely. There are many more projects being reviewed than there is money set aside for and he will have to face up to that soon.

"People living and working in Inverness and those travelling along the A9 and A82 are looking for political commitment from the SNP on their transport priorities. It's time to end the indecision."