SCOTTISH BUDGET MUST DELIVER FUNDING FOR VITAL A9 PROJECT

Published

13th December 2016

Scottish Chambers of Commerce has called on the Scottish Government to use its additional capital spending to tackle key bottlenecks in Scotland’s transport infrastructure, starting with the notorious Berriedale Braes section of the A9 in Caithness.

Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Scotland’s economy needs to be connected to succeed and this is particularly important for rural communities where transport infrastructure is fragile and provides a lifeline link to the wider Scottish and international economy.  That is why the Scottish Government must use the additional £800 million of capital spending that it gained through last month’s UK Autumn Statement to invest in upgrading some of the most problematic sections of Scotland’s transport network, starting with the Berriedale Braes on the A9 in Caithness.

“The Scottish Chambers of Commerce network wants to see the Finance Secretary take the opportunity provided by this Thursday’s budget to commit funding to delivering the Berriedale Braes project as part of a renewed programme of transport investment in Scotland, driven by the additional resources unlocked through the Autumn Statement.  A green light for the Berriedale Braes would be an excellent start to tackling Scotland’s problem bottlenecks.”

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, added:

“The Berriedale Braes has long been a notorious weak link in Scotland’s trunk road network.  Too often, accidents there have cost lives and closed off the only practical road route in and out of Caithness, damaging trade and our local economy.  Now that a planned upgrade to the road has successfully negotiated the planning process, the only barrier is the allocation of government funding.”

Scottish Chambers of Commerce

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce is at the heart of Scotland’s largest and most influential business to business network.

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