It’s reported that one of the contractors working on the scheme to turn the A96 into a dual carriageway has closed an office in Forres, between Inverness and Elgin, because of doubts over whether the work will actually happen.

Last October Scotland’s transport minister has refused to confirm if the A96 will be dualled in full between Inverness to Inverurie, instead promising that there will be a review to determine the way forward. That could take until the end of the year to be completed.

Now the Press and Journal newspaper says it has seen correspondence that confirms the Mott Macdonald-Sweco joint venture has closed its Forres office.

It quotes content from an email it’s seen that sent to Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, stating the decision was taken “following the SNP-Green co-operation agreement and the decision to pause work on the scheme pending a climate change compatibility review”.

The Press and Journal reports Mr Ross said he was “shocked” and claimed the closure is “extremely worrying” for the future of the project. However it adds that a Transport Scotland spokeswoman said the decision to close the office was an operational matter for the consultant with “no impact on the project at this time”.

(Picture – Google)