FOCUS ON A9: Tomatin to Moy dualling cost to rise?

Scottish ministers who ditched the Tomatin to Moy dualling section because it “did not make economic sense” back in February likely took a decision that will ultimately end up being more expensive for the taxpayer.

Grahame Barn of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association believes that, due to the impact of inflation, whatever was bid before will necessarily be more expensive now – so it looks like the Scottish Government fumbled again.

He said: “There may be competition that makes it more attractive, so there may be one or two more interested in it, I can’t say for certain. What I can say for certain is that the price will probably have gone up.

“We have gone six months and the construction inflation is running at between 10 and 15 per cent, so it is more likely that it will be more expensive than what was bid before.”

Transport Scotland director of major projects, including for the A9, Lawrence Shackman, said it would be “tight” to award any contract for Tomatin to Moy before the end of the year: “That is certainly a target that we’re aiming for, but we’ll have to wait and see when the new minister has decided on the procurement route and when that should be launched.”

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