A9 dualling delay: Target date could be missed by another 10 years, says driving instructor
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Confirmation that work to dual the A9 between Inverness and Perth will miss the 2025 deadline has prompted anger and dismay.
This week, we have been speaking to different users of the road from a farmer to a haulage industry representative for their reactions. Today, Stephen Laing gives his view:
The driving instructor
Stephen Laing is the owner of Aries Driving School in Inverness. As a driving instructor, he does not use the A9 much for business purposes but he does drive on it in a personal capacity:
"My own personal view is that the dualling of the A9 should have been done years ago.
"They have only done 11 miles, so far. They have had 11 years and have only done 11 miles They have 80 more miles to do.
"I think in 2035 we could still be having the same conversation.
"Dualling will certainly help. It will not be a magic wand. There will still be accidents.
"Certainly speed cameras made a huge difference to bring speed down and reckless driving.
"There is also the danger of people being tired and the during the summer there is an increase in foreign drivers.
"There are a lot of things make it into a potential melting pot of problems. It is a road which should have been dualled from day one.
"Also what drivers don't also realise is that on the overtaking lanes, it is a 60mph limit. It is not a dual carriageway."
Related stories:
- A9 dualling by 2025 unachievable
- Farming lobby disappointed
- Haulage industry leader calls for work to completed
- Call for double white lines
- Glaringly obvious bias on A9 investment
