Campaigning for the improvement of Scotland’s trunk roads will be one of the “central pledges” of the Scottish Tory manifesto, the party’s leader has said.

Douglas Ross and his party have been vocal in the need for the improvement of Scotland’s rural road network, with a particular focus on the A9, according to Irish News.

It’s Transport Scotland’s responsibility to maintain and improve the country’s roads, on behalf of the Scottish Government and the road – which runs from the central belt to the Highlands – is among the worst for accidents in the country and plans to dual the artery have long been planned, but have faced repeated delays.

The Scottish Conservatives will launch the party’s General Election manifesto later today (24 June).

“Campaigning to fix these essential roads will be one of the central pledges of the Scottish Conservative manifesto,” Mr Ross said. “We know how important these roads are to communities in rural Scotland, so pushing for improvements to them will be one of the top five priorities of Scottish Conservative MPs elected on July 4.”

The transport-related General Election pledges from the other main Scottish political parties will be covered by Highways News as we receive them.