To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.
Upgrading the A9 remains a priority for the Scottish Government and is clearly identified as such within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) and current design work is progressing to dual the Birnam to Luncarty section.
The STPR provides a robust framework of prioritised schemes, the delivery of which will be prioritised in each spending review
A timetable for undertaking the phase 1 work on the A9 upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness will therefore be developed as part of this prioritisation process.
We have a fully committed programme of transport infrastructure investment to 2012.
Recent improvements to the A9 have included a new flyover at Ballinluig.