Responding after Finance Secretary Kate Forbes conspicuously failed to confirm the dualling of the A9 and A96 would go ahead - despite being repeatedly questioned on the subject during her Budget Statement by himself and fellow Conservative MSPs, - Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
"Kate Forbes was repeatedly given the opportunity to confirm that the A9 and A96 would be dualled as promised and she failed to do so. It was clear from her evasive responses that she was giving herself plenty of wriggle-room in order to protect the SNP’s alliance with the Greens who are ideologically opposed to upgrading these vital trunk roads."
“This failure to provide businesses and residents in the Highlands and Islands with the assurances they have been looking for will be a very bitter blow indeed."
"The potential damage the ideologically-driven anti-car Greens now risk having on the Highlands and Islands is becoming increasingly clear.”
Jamie Halcro Johnston’s exchange with Kate Forbes can be viewed here (from 16:35:00) - Meeting of the Parliament (Continued) | Scottish Parliament TV
