§ 6. Mr. Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a timetable for the work to be carried out on the new fast road from Inverness to the North, and an estimated completion date.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have now informed the local planning authorities that I proposed to adopt as my preferred proposal a direct route across the Black Isle, including crossings of both the Beauly Firth and the Cromarty Firth, which will be linked with Dingwall by an improved road from Tore to the present A9 north of Conon Bridge. After further informal consultations with the highway authorities and other interested bodies, I will publish detailed proposals for public consideration. Thereafter the statutory processes will have to be completed before the timetable for work can be forecast.
§ Mr. GrayI thank my right hon. Friend for that statement, which will be welcomed in my constituency. Such is my pleasure that it calls for no further supplementary question.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is much appreciated by the Chair.
§ Mr. MaclennanWhile I understand the hon. Gentleman's comment, greater satisfaction would have been felt north of Inverness if the Secretary of State had announced at the same time his willing- 422 ness to bridge the Dornoch Firth. Will he now give an indication of when this can be done?
§ Mr. CampbellI have announced the crossing of two Firths, and that is not bad for one day. As it was only two years ago that I wrote to the former Secretary of State asking him to keep this option open, I am very glad to be in a position today to announce these two crossings. As I have said before, the question of the Dornoch Firth, to which I drew attention two years ago, will have to be looked into in the future.