Dave Thompson MSP

Lochaber News

Dear Sir

I refer to the letter from John Fotheringham, Lochaber News (18/12/14), and must say that I and the Scottish Government are fully committed to making improvements to the A82.

Mr Fotheringham correctly says that I have been in contact with Transport Scotland about the A82, but he is wrong to say that I “meekly” accept whatever they tell me, as I am sure they will confirm.

Much has been achieved, despite Westminster budget cuts, including the opening of the new £5 million Crianlarich bypass, and the near completion of the £10 million Pulpit Rock project on Loch Lomondside and we will soon see a start to the widening of the section south of this to Tarbet.

In addition, work at Glen Gloy is imminent following complexities which arose to bypass the landslip section, and re-surfacing work has taken place at Spean Bridge. The timing and nature of the work completed at Spean Bridge is a connected A82 issue but it is a matter that Mr Fotheringham has only just contacted me about. I will, therefore, be following up the correspondence on this matter separately with Transport Scotland.

On the political aspects of Mr Fotheringham’s letter, I can only say that I have pressed very hard for expenditure on the A82 with some success and will continue to do so.

More generally, however, I note that Charles Kennedy is calling for money to be spent on the A82, rather than on the A9. This is curious and in stark contrast to his Coalition colleague, Danny Alexander who wants more finance directed towards the A9, and the LibDems happily supported, £700m of expenditure on the Edinburgh Trams. In contrast, I voted against the trams.

The Scottish Government is to get borrowing powers soon and it is my confident expectation that the A82 will benefit substantially from the extra expenditure which will follow.

I hope Mr Fotheringham will join with me in positively making the case for further expenditure on the A82.

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Thompson

MSP for Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch (SNP)

Bridgend Road

Dingwall

Ross-Shire

IV15 9SL