Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has raised the potential length of the public local inquiry into the Berriedale Braes with the Transport Minister in the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Gibson asked Derek Mackay the likely timescale for a Public Local Inquiry, saying that the travelling public wanted certainty as to when a decision would be reached and making it one step closer to the improvements to Berriedale Braes starting.
Mr Mackay responded that he understood the public feelings on the Berriedale Braes and that a pre-inquiry meeting would take place on the 2nd of December which would discuss the length of the PLI.
Speaking after Mr Gibson said that the PLI was regrettable but unavoidable and he hoped that a speedy solution could be reached.
‘The PLI is unfortunate, regrettable yet unavoidable. However it is undeniable that the SNP have done the most out of any Government to actually putting in place a concrete solution to the Berriedale Braes.
‘The Minister is in no doubt as the importance of this scheme. I share the frustrations of many that a PLI has to be undertaken; however it is only proper that it is carried out following an objection by someone who is directly affected.
‘I hope that a speedy solution can be found to the sticking point so that work can start on solving a problem that has existed on the main route into Caithness for many years.’