Campaigners opposed to average-speed cameras on the A9 fear the £2.5million scheme could lead to delays in upgrading the trunk road to dual carriageway.
Foyers-based protester Mike Burns said he was worried the £3billion project could be put on hold if it emerged the devices reduced the number of accidents on the route between Inverness and Dunblane.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has claimed the lack of action on upgrading the road since the SNP came to power in 2007 raised questions about its “commitment” to the dualling scheme.
First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted his administration is committed to the project and accused the Highland MP of “starving” the Scottish Government of capital funding for major projects.
Highland Labour MSP Dave Stewart said he could understand Mr Burns’s fears – but said there would be “total outrage” if the dualling project was delayed.
Mr Burns said: “In private discussions between campaigners and people working behind the scenes at Police Scotland and Transport Scotland, there is a very genuine concern that average-speed cameras will be used as an excuse to delay dualling the A9.
“This is evidenced by the fact that the SNP delayed ‘shovel-ready’ A9 improvement projects in 2007 that are not due to resume until 2016-17. It is also highlighted by the disappearance of the additional £1billion capital budget which seems to have been diverted to prestige projects in the central belt.”
Mr Alexander said dualling the A9 was the best way to improve safety, but imposing average-speed cameras on Highland people was a “distraction” from reaching the goal. The “A9 average-speed cameras are not the answer” campaign is supported by more than 9,000 people.
Highland SNP MSP Dave Thompson said: “Danny Alexander is clutching at straws and he seems to have forgotten this is the only government to commit to dualling the A9. For eight years we had Lib Dem transport ministers in the Scottish Executive, doing precisely nothing on the A9 – where was Danny Alexander then?”