West Highlands MP Charles Kennedy has today expressed his disappointment at the SNP Government’s plans for the A82, the major trunk road between Glasgow and Lochaber which is badly in need of improvement.
The Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan has committed to no further work on the road before 2017, while existing schemes at Crianlarich & Pulpit Rock have been beset by delays. A Route Action Plan published by the Scottish Lib Dem Transport Minister in 2006 set out a ten year timetable to complete upgrades which will now not even begin within that period.
Charles Kennedy said:
“Sadly, this shows once again that the SNP prefer to scatter vague promises all over Scotland instead of taking badly needed practical action on the A82.
“People in the West Highlands have been waiting for serious action to upgrade their lifeline trunk road, instead of more warm words.
“Improvements at Pulpit Rock and Crianlarich should be nearing completion by now, but have suffered substantial delays. The only available measure of the credibility of the SNP’s airy promises for the distant future is their ability to deliver real improvements today. The A82 is where they should start – but it seems a long way from being their first priority.
“I stand with the A82 Partnership and demand practical action on this vital lifeline.”