SNP “credibility on the line” amid fresh A9 dualling delay concerns
The Scottish Parliament’s first-ever full debate on the country’s largest infrastructure project – the A9 dualling programme – has heard of fears that more delays are expected despite government assurances. The SNP originally promised to finish the £3.7 billion project this year – 18 years after first promising to dual the road between Inverness and Perth […]
Scottish government drops target to cut car use by 20%
The Scottish government is dropping a key climate change target to cut car use in Scotland by 20% by the end of the decade. The aim – which was a previous SNP manifesto commitment – was to reduce the amount of kilometres travelled by car across the country in order to cut harmful emissions and […]
SNP manifesto target to end sale of diesel-powered buses is bad news for a smooth transition to net-zero services across Scotland, says CPT
By proposing an end of sale date of 2025 for diesel powered buses, the SNP is disproportionately targeting SMEs and rural bus operators and the marginal, but socially necessary, services they provide, says CPT – the leading UK trade association for the bus and coach sectors. Responding to the SNP manifesto pledge, Paul White, Director […]
Scotland to consider integrated ticketing for public transport
The Scottish Government is considering introducing a TfL-style ticket system for public transport across the country. Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan said this would be explored as part of a new strategy to reduce car journeys by 20%, as she confirmed reports that the Government was cancelling a key climate target. She told MSPs the Government was […]
Campaigners accuse ministers of leaving Scottish roads “to rot” after research shows that spending falls significantly in the last six years
Campaigners in Scotland have accused Ministers of leaving roads to ‘rot’ over the last six years due to lack of investment. The Times reports that the drop has coincided with the electoral pacts between SNP governments and the Scottish Greens. Opposition parties have called for the first minister Humza Yousaf’s administration to sever ties with the […]
Scottish transport minister apologises for A9 upgrade delays
Scotland’s transport minister Jenny Gilruth has apologised for her Government’s failure to realise its promise to dual the A9 by its 2025 deadline. In an exclusive interview with Highland News & Media, Ms Gilruth said: “I recognise the frustration here and I do apologise to the communities in the north of Scotland, it should have […]
Support sought for Elgin bypass
A Council in the Scottish Highlands is being asked to give its backing for a bypass around the town of Elgin, amid concerns about a commitment to road improvements in the area. Councillors in Moray are raising concerns with the Scottish Government over slow progress on dualling the A96. The Press and Journal newspaper reports […]
Scottish Government urged to “push accelerator” on stalled A9 dualling work
A former Scottish government minister says the £3 billion A9 upgrade must speed up after fresh doubts emerged over funding for the delayed project. The Press and Journal newspaper reports veteran SNP politician Fergus Ewing raised concerns about progress on the Perth-Inverness route and urged party colleagues to deliver the promise to upgrade the road. […]
Edinburgh in line for congestion charge
Drivers will be charged to enter Edinburgh and there will be a workplace parking levy on some of the biggest companies in Scotland’s capital if the Scottish National Party is re-elected to run Edinburgh City Council next month. The Herald reports that in a key local election pledge, the party wants to charge commuting drivers […]
MP warns over Scottish road building after SNP-Green deal
A Scottish MP is warning that the new deal between the ruling SNP and partners the Greens will affect road building in Scotland because he fears it will “not be as benign as the SNP is currently spinning”. Kenny MacAskill, who quit the SNP for the rival nationalist Alba party earlier in the year, has […]
