Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch used Topical Questions in the Parliament to take the opportunity to ask the Transport Minister, Keith Brown, about future improvements to the A82 and how quickly things are progressing with the Route Action Plan.

The Minister indicated that substantial progress is being made and that the Government is committed to improving the A82. He highlighted that the Crianlarich bypass will shortly be complete, as will the works at Pulpit Rock.

He added that the work on the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme is progressing well and that ground investigations are currently taking place and went on to state that this will help to inform the on-going work to design a preferred route by next summer.

Commenting on this Mr Thompson said, “I am pleased at the current progress being made on the A82 and in particular that the Crianlarich bypass and the works at Pulpit Rock will soon be complete. This will make the road safer and quicker for those who are travelling south to Glasgow”.

Dave went on, “However, I will be continuing to advance the case for further improvements on the A82, including the stretch between Fort William and Inverness, which serves as a gateway to the North and West and brings much tourism to the area. I expect to be updated on this in due course”.

Notes:

Meeting of the Parliament 28 October 2014

Dave’s question to the Parliament and the Minister’s response is noted below:

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): I thank the minister, Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland for their efforts in keeping our roads open. In particular, where are we with future improvements to the A82? How quickly are we moving on with the route action plan? How might that help in such situations?

Keith Brown (Transport Minister): We are making substantial progress and are committed to improving the A82. That is demonstrated by the Crianlarich bypass, which will shortly be complete, and the works at Pulpit Rock, which are extremely difficult to progress but have been scheduled for completion very soon. In addition, the work on the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme, which I visited last week, is progressing well. Ground investigations are currently taking place that will help to inform the on-going work to design a preferred route by next summer.

Located at the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9585#.VFC_2aKGG_s