Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has challenged the SNP Government to take swift action on the A82 and A83 after it was revealed that BEAR Scotland were unable to provide a date when the Rest and Be Thankful would be re-opened. This follows a series of closures and delays affecting both trunk roads.
During questions to the Transport Secretary Michael Matheson yesterday, the Scottish Conservative MSP told the minister that local people were exasperated with the condition of both the A82 and A83 after years of promises of investment in them.
Speaking later Mr Cameron said: “After 13 years of little or no action, the SNP are still asking us to respond to surveys and consultations with regard to both of these roads."
“Mr Matheson’s response, which mainly referenced plans to upgrade the A9 and the A96, will be of little comfort to residents and businesses in the West Highlands who are utterly dependent on the A82 and A83.
“We have had more than enough woolly pledges over the years, usually made in the run-up to an election, which are then quietly forgotten afterwards, and I’m afraid that Michael Matheson’s response indicates that it will be business as usual so far as his Government is concerned.”
A record of the exchange between Donald Cameron and Michael Matheson is available here: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=13005&i=117598#ScotParlOR
