To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the dualling of the A9. (S6O-03676)

The Scottish Government is progressing with the A9 dualling delivery plan that was set out to Parliament in December 2023. Work will begin on the Tomatin to Moy section in the coming months, following contract award in July. That will be the start of continuous work on A9 dualling until the programme is completed. I announced the three shortlisted bidders for the next section, from the Tay crossing to Ballinluig, in August. Once those two sections are completed by the end of in 2028, 45 per cent of the A9 between Perth and Inverness will be dualled.

The Scottish National Party’s failure to dual the A9 is a complete betrayal of the people of Scotland. Between January 2020 and December 2023, non-dualled sections of the A9 accounted for 90 per cent of fatal accidents. That travesty comes solely at the hands of the SNP. Does the cabinet secretary accept that? What guarantees are being given that the dualling of the A9 will be completed by 2035 at the latest?

I can give that commitment, because it is set out in the plan that we reported to Parliament last December. I am conscious of the issue of fatalities. There have been different numbers of fatalities in different years.

It is really important to recognise that the work that we are doing means that contracts are already being let and that work is commencing. As I said, there will be continuous work on the A9 until it is completed in 2035, with 45 per cent of that to be done by 2028.

I call Fergus Ewing to ask a brief supplementary question.

[ Inaudible .]—bringing forward the completion date for dualling of the A9, which is presently 2035. I ask the cabinet secretary what progress is being made on that plea and consideration thereof. Secondly, will she make an oral statement in Parliament to provide a full update about such progress for a swifter completion?

I am afraid that I missed the beginning of the member’s contribution. However, he and others met me and the First Minister to discuss the A9 dualling and I undertake, as the First Minister did, to keep the programme under review to identify whether there is any way to make any progress in terms of speed. The other issue that the member raised at that meeting was the ordering. We have to balance market capacity, impacts on road users and the challenging financial constraints, but the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will receive regular updates on the A9, as we have promised. Looking at acceleration would require careful consideration and it will not be immediate but, in keeping that under review, I undertake to keep the member and, indeed, Parliament informed of any progress.

I apologise to those whom I was unable to call. As members will see, we have overrun quite a bit and we need to move on to the next item of business. There will be a brief pause to allow members on the front benches to change positions.