§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of the proposed A9 improvement scheme, Helmsdale to the Ord of Caithness. [68993]
§ Mr. Macdonald£11.4 million excluding Value Added Tax.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's preferred engineering scheme for the A9, Helmsdale to the Ord of Caithness, currently under assessment as part of the Trunk Road Review. [68991]
§ Mr. MacdonaldI have today arranged for a copy of the plan and profile of the preferred route to be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the status of the(a) Brora bypass, (b) Portgower-Green Park and (c) Craickaig-Culgower proposed A9 improvement schemes. [68992]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe Brora bypass, Portgower to Green Park and Crackaig to Culgower schemes were progressed to outline feasibility stage in the early 1990s. However in 1995 the Government announced the A9 Dornoch to Scrabster Route Action Plan (RAP). The objectives of this plan were to consider (i) road safety, (ii) consistent journey times, (iii) improved overtaking opportunities, and (iv) traffic calming through the communities. The 3 schemes are being assessed against this criteria. Improvement schemes identified in the RAP will be implemented subject to competing priorities on the trunk road network and the availability of appropriate levels of funding.