Sutherland Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

A9 Is Putting Brake On Development Say Firms

11th July 2006

OVER 60 per cent of businesses surveyed in the Highlands and Central Belt want the A9 road to be fully dualled between Inverness and Perth, according to a report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The survey was carried out as part of a broad ranging research programme by HIE to determine the future transport investment priorities for the region - identifying the options that will best support long-term economic development.

Study authors Reference Economic Consultants probed the perceptions of 74 public sector bodies, businesses organisations and companies located in the Highlands, the North-East and the Central Belt with regard to the A9 and A96.

The report concludes: "It should be of concern to HIE and other stakeholders that significant proportions of business organisations and companies view the road links to one of Scotland's five cities as unsatisfactory."

Results showed that within the region, key concerns about the A9 centred around perceptions that the road was unsafe due to the mix of single and dual-carriageway sections; and that a lack of overtaking opportunities and the build-up of vehicle 'platoons' made driving stressful and hard work.

Outside the Highlands, the majority of businesses had a negative perception of the A9, and almost every one considered the journey from the Central Belt to Aberdeen - because it is largely dual carriageway - to be much better than the trip up the A9 to Inverness. Nearly three-quarters of those asked said they felt the road quality was constraining development in the A9 catchment area.

The strongest criticism came from companies which do business in the Highlands and Islands but don't have a base in the region.

Some of these businesses stated: "Unless the arterial route (A9) is upgraded then development will suffer"; and "It is harming the growth of the Highlands". One manufacturer commented that in the summer months delays occurred on the road causing time slots for onward air freighting to be missed, and that "this happens too much."

The A96 was also viewed negatively by businesses and sectoral organisations outside the Highlands. Problems were identified along its entire length with particular criticisms including the presence of agricultural traffic, the passage through rather than around settlements and specific bottlenecks. Upgrading the road was seen as a priority particularly among those based in Moray.

Rail services along both corridors were viewed as being complementary to the roads by respondents, with use of both modes at different times and depending on circumstances. Perceptions of rail services were generally negative, with limited frequencies and long journey times highlighted as the main weaknesses. However, investment in the rail network was not seen as an alternative to upgrading the roads, with only 13% of business respondents in favour of investment in the Inverness-Perth rail line instead of the A9.

Tony Jarvis, Transport Policy Manager at HIE said, "This report confirms many conversations we have had with the business community which point consistently to the need to upgrade the A9 and A96 if the area is to develop effectively and sustainably over the long-term.

"Indeed we firmly believe that upgrading these key routes, as well as their complementary rail services, represent significant projects at a Scottish level - they are a vital part of the nation's transport infrastructure."

Charlie King, Chairman of HITRANS, the Regional Transport Partnership charged with formulating transport strategy for the Highlands, said: "We are still working towards a final draft strategy document but it would be surprising if the key arterial routes to the Highlands do not emerge as a priority. The A9 and A96 serve an enormous catchment from the Inner Moray Firth through to the islands and improvement to such an important route has to be of substantial benefit to the social and economic fortunes of the
area."

Currently only 45km of the 174km of the A9 from Perth to Inverness is dual-carriageway. On the A96, only 17km out of 157km from Aberdeen to Inverness is dualled, with almost all of this between Aberdeen and Inverurie.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Contract Awarded To Design Sutherland Spaceport
Architects have been appointed to design the spaceport that is being developed to launch small satellites from the Highlands.   Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is leading the £17.5m Space Hub Sutherland project, including a £2.5m grant from the UK Space Agency (UKSA).  
Dornoch Brothers Raise a Glass to New Micro DistilleryThumbnail for article : Dornoch Brothers Raise a Glass to New Micro Distillery
Two brothers are celebrating as the first spirit at their new micro distillery in Dornoch began to flow this month.   Phil and Simon Thompson's dream of opening their own distillery has become a reality as the Dornoch Distillery opened for business producing hand distilled gin, vodka, rum and whisky.  
Fibre broadband for Sutherland village of ArdgayThumbnail for article : Fibre broadband for Sutherland village of Ardgay
High speed fibre broadband is now available to order in Ardgay.   Fibre services are completely different to existing broadband services, and download speeds in the village will see a boost from a previous maximum of 8Mbps, to up to 76Mbps.  
Opening of community-owned sports pavilion celebrated with Shinty Sixes tournament
A new community-owned sports facility is being formally opened in Sutherland later this week.   The Scourie Sports Pavilion will be opened on Saturday 7 June by Lady Jane Grosvenor followed by the annual Far North Shinty Sixes competition.  
Events highlight benefits of Woodland CroftsThumbnail for article : Events highlight benefits of Woodland Crofts
A series of events is underway to provide information and advice to anyone interested in woodland crofts.  The Scottish Crofting Federation, the Community Woodlands Association and the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust have joined forces to form the Woodland Crofts Partnership.  
Calling All Entrepreneurs - Win a Two Day Trip To An Event In Glasgow
Is your business a winner? Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is offering a two-day trip worth £1,000 to a high-profile event in Glasgow for Scotland's leading entrepreneurs.   If your business is based within the HIE geographical area, you've got at least one ready-for-market product or service and are actively seeking ways to expand your sales base beyond local boundaries, you are eligible to win a maximum of two delegate places at this prestigious event taking place on Friday 5th - Saturday 6th October 2007.  
Market Development Scheme Worth £9.2 Million In Food And Drink Sales
Highlands and Islands food and drink producers have attributed £9.2 million of new sales to events and exhibitions organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), through its UK Market Development programme.   A recent evaluation of the programme commissioned by HIE has demonstrated that bringing together food and drink producers and buyers is an effective way for speciality companies in the Highlands and Islands to do business.  
Replica of Helmsdale Memorial 'The Emigrants' Heading For CanadaThumbnail for article : Replica of Helmsdale Memorial 'The Emigrants' Heading For Canada
A replica of the 30 foot bronze statue commemorating the Highland Clearances is being cast and shipped to the Canadian City of Winnipeg.   'The Emigrants' memorial in the Sutherland town of Helmsdale was originally cast by Highland foundry Black Isle Bronze in 2003.  
Challenge gives pupils taste for careers in food industry
Dornoch Academy pupils have been given a taste of running their own business over the past few weeks, by creating a new ice cream.   The pupils have been working with Harry Gow and Highland Fine Cheeses on a Food and Drink School's Challenge, which culminates in a final event on Saturday 15 March for 12 S3 pupils from the school.  
New Apprenticeship For Local Food Growers - A Great Opportunity
Highlands and Islands Local Food Network (HILFN) is to set up a food apprenticeship to train a new generation of food growers in the area - the first course of its kind in Scotland.   More and more consumers in the Highlands and Islands are choosing to eat healthily and shop locally which is leading to a shortage of locally grown fruit and vegetables in many parts of the north.