The Scottish Greens have called for average speed cameras to be installed on the A96 – instead of dualling the road.
Green north-east MSP Maggie Chapman believes installing cameras would save lives and prevent more traffic congestion and pollution.
She claims expanding the road would “increase the risk of accidents”
The SNP committed to fully dualling the route between Aberdeen and Inverness a decade ago, but plans have since been stuck in limbo.
The future of the project was called into question when the SNP and the Greens announced a power-sharing deal, and the Greens raised “urgent” environmental impact concerns about road projects.
Could average speed cameras be the solution to A96 issues?
Ms Chapman – who has previously said the project is “not viable”- has now proposed placing average speed cameras on the A96.
She says this is another option to “prevent accidents and save lives”.
“Safety must be a key priority when it comes to our approach to roads,” she said.
“Average speed cameras on the A9 and A90 have had a significant impact in reducing accidents and I would hope that similar positive impacts would be seen on the A96.
“It is clear that people are concerned about safety on the A96, and I’m keen to explore how we can best use the tools we have to ensure we prevent as many accidents as possible.”
The A9 has been the scene of 13 deaths since the spring of this year, in one of the deadliest periods for the Inverness to Perth road.
Ms Chapman said expanding the capacity on the already busy A96 route will “inevitably” lead to increased traffic on linking and nearby roads, and through local towns and villages.
Stressing the environmental impact of roads should be considered when considering dualling, she said: “This is not some abstract thing, but something that we all have a responsibility to act on.
“I do not think that dualling a road – something that will inevitably see increased traffic and increased congestion – is the best use of limited resources.
“Spending billions of pounds on road expansions that will only drive up traffic and increase the risk of accidents is not the answer.
“It is high time we shift focus to clean, green and affordable public transport infrastructure and improve the rail network across the north-east.
“This will be safer for commuters and communities, and better for people’s health both now and in the future. It will also be good for the planet.”
‘Ridiculous excuse to avoid dualling A96’
However, Ms Chapman’s proposal has been roundly critised by opposition politicians, who branded it as a “pathetic money-spinning excuse” to avoid dualling the road.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for net zero, energy and transport, north-east MSP Liam Kerr called the suggestion “ridiculous”.
He said: “The A96 in its current form is a death trap regardless of whether average speed cameras are installed or not.
“The Greens are trying to play political games with people’s lives when this is an issue of national safety on one of Scotland’s most dangerous roads.”
Mr Kerr has previously accused ministers of having “repeatedly kicked the dualling of the A96 down the road” and blamed the Greens for requesting a “delaying” review into the project’s environmental impact .
He added: “Dualling the road will give drivers a safer and improved journey between Aberdeen and Inverness, drive the north-east economy forward and ensure our emergency services can get where they need without delays.
“This is nothing more than a pathetic money-spinning excuse on pandering to the Greens agenda of avoiding dualling the route.
“The choice for the SNP is simple: stick up for the people of the north-east by progressing with this long-overdue upgrade or cave in to the Greens who are only interested in punishing motorists.”
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