Speeding up the A9 dualling project

We would pass an emergency law to fast-track the dualling of the A9 to complete it within the lifetime of the next parliament. To do this, we would pass a law at Holyrood that would set out a special fast-tracked process for completing the A9 dualling project. Specifically, the law would establish a bespoke procurement process that addresses industry concerns about the balance of risk in previous A9 procurement contracts and override any legislative hurdles that are currently holding up the project.

The law would expedite Environmental Impact Assessments to ensure that the A9 dualling project can be completed faster. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment. An EIA has five stages and are required for new trunk roads. Overall, the EIA process for a dual carriageway in Scotland can be a multi-stage procedure that takes several months or even over a year to complete.

This law would also establish Infrastructure Investment Partnerships with private companies to help complete the A9 project faster. The Infrastructure Investment Partnership model would set out a new public-private partnership arrangement between the Scottish Government and companies helping to deliver the A9 procurement project. These partnerships would be designed to attract more private investors by reducing costs in the procurement process and provide businesses with more of a stake in the project in order to ensure its completion on time and on budget.

The law would guarantee funding to ensure that the A9 is constructed. The Inquiry found that the Scottish Government’s failure to reach an agreement on programme funding significantly contributed to the stalling of progress. We would therefore guarantee that a set portion of the Scottish Government capital transport budget would be set aside for continuous investment into the A9 dualling project. Guaranteed funding will ensure that progress can keep at pace, constructions materials can be procured, and that there will be no stalling in the development.