A96 Dualling Show On The Road

Transport Minister Keith Brown, who will be in Nairn next Monday, was at the forefront of calls for the public to give feedback when the exhibitions get underway next week.

Mr Brown said:

“In May this year, I set out how the A96 dualling programme will be driven forward. The outline strategy identified packages of design and development work to be progressed over the next few years with the objective of completing the full dualling between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030.

“Already we are seeing progress, with consultants appointed for preparatory engineering and environmental work and aerial surveys underway along the route.

“We aim to keep up this momentum by giving the public a chance to comment at the early stages of this vital project for the north of the country and for Scotland as a whole.

“I look forward to seeing the exhibition material next Monday before the roadshows get underway on Tuesday.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest to visit one of the exhibitions over the next few weeks and help ensure local needs are reflected as we develop the dualling programme.”

Notes to editors

Transport Minister Keith Brown will attend a preview of the exhibition on Monday 11 November at 12.45 pm in the Golf View Hotel in Nairn. The media are invited to attend to view the material and the Minister will be available for interview.

The exhibitions will also include information on the work going on to progress the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, an update on the A9/A96 Connections Study and plans for the upgrade of the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line. They take place from 12 November 2013 over a period of three weeks as follows:

  • Tuesday 12th November, Nairn – The Golf View Hotel, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 13th November, Inverness – The Town House, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Friday 15th November, Forres – The Ramnee Hotel, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Tuesday 19th November, Keith - The Longmore Hotel , 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 20th November, Elgin – The New Elgin and Ashgrove Public Hall, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Thursday 21st November, Huntly – The Gordon Arms, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 27th November, Dyce – The Dyce Parish Church Hall, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Thursday 28th November, Inverurie – The Acorn Centre, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Friday 29th November, Fochabers – The Fochabers Institute, 12:00pm – 7:00pm

Copies of the exhibition material will be available from Monday 11 November at http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/a96dualling

Anyone wishing to comment should respond by 31 January 2014 to a96dualling@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk

As the A96 bisects a number of communities, dualling the road will require bypasses around Forres, Elgin, Keith and Inverurie. Following the completion of the initial design work in about 12-18 months’ time, detailed route options will be progressed and preferred routes for these bypasses identified at the earliest opportunity.

All this work will include a rolling programme of regular engagement with local communities and other stakeholders, starting with the public exhibitions in November.This will ensure the businesses and individuals affected by the work are kept fully informed and their important feedback is taken into account as we design, procure and construct.

Published 4 Nov 2013