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A9 Upgrade Could Deliver £1Billion Economic Benefit To Highlands and Islands

30th October 2007

It's been estimated that dualling the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness, could lead to an economic benefit of almost £1billion to the Highlands and Islands according to a new study. These benefits would be driven by a reduction in journey times of 22 minutes.

The A9 Perth to Inverness Economic Appraisal Study, newly completed by Scott Wilson for HITRANS and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) also shows that 724 jobs could be created in the short term, potentially rising to 4,500 over the 30 year appraisal period, for the full dualling option.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today welcomed the findings of the report.

He said: "These are very positive findings. This report shows that dualling the A9 will not only bring benefits to the communities of the Highlands and Islands, but will bring benefits for the whole Scottish economy.

"This Scottish Government is totally committed to the plan for dualling the A9. We made that commitment when we came into government, and we stand by that commitment.

"I have already asked Transport Scotland to take forward work to identify the next part of the A9 which can be dualled in the short term.

"The Strategic Transport Project Review will examine the longer term needs of Scotland's transport network to develop an investment plan for 2012 onwards. The STPR is due in summer 2008 and is looking at the trunk road network, including the A9, and this report from HIE and HITRANS will be a useful contribution to that process."

The report was commissioned to help decision makers develop a clear understanding of the transport, economic and social impacts that could be generated by improving the main artery between the Central Belt and the north of Scotland.

While growth in the study area has exceeded Scotland as a whole, it lags behind in terms of GVA (Gross Value Added) per capita, with the Highlands and Islands reaching only 76% of the national figure.

Two thirds of businesses interviewed felt that the A9 currently constrained business travel, and 63% that it was restricting general economic development in the Highlands.

Two options for dualling the A9 were identified as having the biggest positive impact on people and businesses living and working in the Highlands and Islands:

* Dualling the entire A9 between Perth and Inverness - predicted to bring an increase of £956m in regional GVA;

* Full dual carriageway from Perth to Pitlochry and strategic dualling thereafter (predicted to create a rise of £683m in GVA).

Donald MacNeill, senior transport policy manager at HIE, said: "This study provides an excellent appraisal of the impact this particular key project - upgrading the A9 - is likely to have and will be useful to policy makers.

"So many of our visitors - and our imports and exports - use this route and the report has demonstrated that enhancements would have a significant positive impact on the region's economy."

Concerns over deteriorating travel conditions on the A9 were raised by the study groups, with increased travel times, frustration and less reliable journey times cited as the key issues among business users.

Tourism and leisure users, accounting for 32% of A9 travellers, followed by the construction industry (11%) and agriculture and manufacturing sectors (7%), are expected to be the sectors that would benefit most from the upgrading.

Dave Duthie, Director of HITRANS said: "The A9 is a major trunk route from the Central Belt to the Highlands and Islands - an artery for both freight and passenger travel. It also provides a vital link to the island communities of Orkney, Lewis and Harris.

"The region already plays a significant role in the overall Scottish economy but has the potential to do more if key transport links were to be improved."

For a copy of the report, email carole.inglis[AT]hient.co.uk