The Scottish Government is under pressure to release a delayed Climate Compatibility Assessment for the A96 Dualling project as concerns grow over its potential impact on emissions. Mark Ruskell MSP, a Scottish Green Party spokesperson, has criticized the government for investing in a project that could worsen the climate crisis.
Originally proposed in 2011 with a completion goal of 2030, the A96 Dualling project faced delays in 2021 due to a review ordered by the new SNP-Greens coalition government. However, with the collapse of the coalition and subsequent uncertainty, there is a renewed call for transparency and accountability in the project’s environmental assessment.
Mr. Ruskell is calling for the assessment to be made public before any further decisions are made regarding the project’s funding. He emphasized the need to prioritize solutions that reduce emissions and improve public transport options rather than investing in projects that could exacerbate the climate crisis.
The cost of dualling the A96 was initially estimated at £3 billion in 2016 but is expected to have risen significantly due to inflation and increased material costs. As of August this year, £89 million had already been spent on the project, including preliminary engineering services and environmental assessments.
Transport Scotland reiterated its commitment to improving the A96 corridor while addressing concerns about connectivity, congestion, safety, and environmental impact. The ongoing review process includes a Climate Compatibility Assessment and other statutory assessments to ensure a transparent and evidence-based decision-making process.
With nearly 4,600 responses received during the initial consultation, the review aims to consider a wide range of options to enhance the corridor and prioritize improvements based on stakeholder feedback. The draft outcomes of the review will be subject to further consultation before a final decision is reached, guided by evidence-led transport appraisal and stakeholder input.
