It’s being claimed the controversially-delayed project to dual the A9 in Scotland has run up bills of £300 million on stretches where no upgrade work has taken place.

The Press and Journal newspaper reports that, while only two of the eleven sections between Perth and Inverness have been dualled so far, the money has been spent on up-front preparation costs around design and assessment of proposals, public and stakeholder consultation, statutory processes and procurement of works contracts.

Following a Freedom of Information request, it was revealed to the newspaper that just over £458 million has been spent on the project to date, but more than £300 million of that is on stretches where the main construction work has yet to begin.

It quotes Laura Hansler, from the A9 Dual Action Group, who want to see the route dualled, saying: “The amount of money that went on land that has never been cut is ridiculous. To think that money has been spent and nothing has been delivered. The public have a right to be furious.”

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson called it “A glaring testimony to their [The Scottish Government’s] abject failure.”

(Picture – Transport Scotland)