Top priority pledge for work on Berriedale Braes
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A "CAST-iron" pledge is to be given by the council today to support the upgrading of a stretch of the A9 at the Berriedale Braes.
The Highland Council will launch its programme for administration in Inverness, committing to support improvements on the notorious stretch of road as well as upgrades at other sections on the A9.
No timescale has been given for the projects, but the authority will announce its intention to work closely with the Scottish Government to improve the road. It has identified Berriedale as a top priority.
Landward Caithness councillor Alex MacLeod told the John O’Groat Journal the council will state it is fully committed to seeing the projects going ahead.
He said with developments taking place within the renewable energy industry across the Highlands, action needs to be taken on the A9.
"This is tremendous news for Caithness and it is news that will put jobs and prosperity at the heart of our plans to move the county forward," he said.
"Developments in the energy sector are one of the reasons behind our pledge to improve the A9 but it will benefit a whole mix of industries.
"Not just in Caithness, but across the Highlands, the A9 has become a dangerous road and there are sections that are in an unacceptable state of disrepair.
"What we want to do is consult with the public where we can upgrade the road initially and put people at the heart of the process, as it will have a big impact on their lives and also have a big impact on business."
Further details on the projected cost and timescale of the projects are still to be released with the Scottish Government set to hold talks with Westminster about funding these proposals. The council is also proposing to improve the roads maintenance allocation system and will spend preventatively on roads according to need.
Mr MacLeod said that despite the economic situation still being poor across the country, with the Highland Council looking to make savings, these projects are financially viable.
"The Scottish Government is committed to upgrading the A9 by investing in shovel-ready projects across Scotland and also pressing the UK Government in assisting us with this funding," he said.
"The costs of these projects will have no implications on areas such as frozen council tax which will remain at the same level as it one of the key commitments that the administration set out."
He added: "At the moment we are just pleased to be announcing our strategic aims and look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Scottish Government.
"In our local government manifesto, our strategy states that it is committed to connecting all of Scotland’s major centres and this includes connecting the Highlands to the rest of Scotland."
Landward Caithness councillor Willie Mackay said he would welcome the developments if they are to go ahead, but doubted the reasons behind them, claiming the SNP is trying to gain public favour in the run-up to the vote on independence.
"I’m supportive of these proposals but, at the same time, suspicious of them coming from the SNP," he said.
"There is a referendum coming up in 2014 and if they are only saying it for political gain, I’m not at all impressed.
"The upgrades are financially viable, but if money is to be spent on roads north of Inverness, they need to concentrate on the Berriedale Braes by improving the two hairpins and a crawler lane on the south brae as well as the stretch of road between Brora and Helmsdale."
The Highland Council is also proposing to work with the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and Network Rail to secure improvements and reduced journey times on the Highland rail network.
