Dave Thompson MSP

I reacted with disbelief at Citylink’s recent proposal to discontinue their express bus visiting Badenoch towns to be replaced with a single decker service running through the area and on to a rendezvous point with the South bound express service over thirty miles south at House of Bruar.

Citylink argue that the number of users have forced them into this saving. However, there are practical issues to be dealt with, such as, when buses are delayed or cancelled, creating the potential to have folk waiting inordinate amounts of time, or in the worst case scenario, stranded for the day at the House of Bruar.

It would create the farcical situation where Citylink are running two buses, at the same time, possibly even nose to tail, for over thirty miles on the same road (A9) and over the treacherous Drumochter Pass. I appreciate the financial viability argument put forward by Citylink, however this proposal is not the answer. I urge Citylink to re-think a workable solution that does not severely disadvantage folk in Badenoch.

The six mile extension to the Speyside Way has been officially opened, which is great news for the Strath. The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s original long distance routes, from Spey Bay to Ballindalloch and opened in 1981.This latest extension is part of on-going extensions to connect the Ways, which included extensions to Aviemore in 2000, creating a 65 mile route for walkers and cyclists to use, and I hope and expect, in time, the route will be extended further for those in Newtonmore to enjoy.

I support the general call for improved management at and around the roadworks on the A9. There have been reports of long tailbacks and lengthy delays because of two sets roadworks at Dalwhinnie and Drumochter and where A9 dualling work is taking place between Kincraig and Dalraddy. Whilst a certain level of patience is required as vast improvements are made on the road, particularly as the fantastic A9 dualling project moves on apace, I hope Transport Scotland are taking cognisance of the concerns and adjust their strategy for the road works, so as to minimise delays and driver frustration.

By the time you read this I will have attended the SNP Conference in Aberdeen. The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said that the party conference will be the launch pad for the SNP's Holyrood Election Campaign, so I am looking forward to getting together with my colleagues to discuss policy and strategy.

The SNP are now a major political force, not just for Scottish but UK politics too. We must never be complacent or take voters for granted. We must continue to fight Austerity and the Tories at Westminster in a way they have not been accustomed to in recent years by other UK Parties and if we do that and continue to govern well in Holyrood, then I am confident that those who put faith in the SNP in May this year will do so again at the Scottish Elections in 2016.