§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of upgrading the A9 to motorway standard; and what is his estimate of the number of jobs such capital expenditure would create.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe information is not available. As motorway construction costs vary widely according to the terrain through which they pass, it is not possible without undertaking detailed studies to provide a realistic estimate of the cost and job implications of upgrading the A9 to motorway standard.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is able to publish an estimate of the number of vehicles using the Perth-Inverness stretch of the A9 for 386W any given period of the year; and if he is able to indicate use of this road, by vehicle numbers, in winter as compared with the peak tourist season.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe August 1976 census figures, which are the latest available, show 7,559 vehicles per day passing a point just north of Aviemore. There are no figures available for the winter months.