To ask the Scottish Government whether it is committed to fully dualling the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen. (S6O-03864)

The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to improving the A96. In particular, we have recently completed the statutory process for dualling between Inverness and Nairn, including the Nairn bypass, along with the adjacent Inshes to Smithton scheme. We are now pressing ahead with the procedural steps to complete the purchase of land.

The current plan is to fully dual the route. As part of that process, we are undertaking a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme, which includes a climate compatibility assessment and other statutory assessments. Once published, that review will be subject to public consultation.

I am sorry, but that answer shows that the Cabinet secretary simply does not get it. She said that the Government is committed to “improving the A96”, but the pledge that she and her colleagues were elected on in 2021 was to fully dual the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen. Today, communities in Moray and across the Highlands and the north-east are looking for that commitment to be reaffirmed by the transport secretary.

On page 42 of its manifesto, the Scottish National Party said that the dualling of the A96 was required to ensure that

“the road network between all Scottish cities is of dual-carriageway standard.”

Does the cabinet secretary still stand by that? If not, why does she not prioritise businesses and people in the north-east of Scotland as much as she prioritises other parts of the country?

Douglas Ross says that he is sorry, but I am sorry that he did not listen to my answer. I draw attention to my first answer, in which I said:

“In particular, we have recently completed the statutory process for dualling between Inverness and Nairn, including the Nairn bypass, along with the adjacent Inshes to Smithton scheme. We are now pressing ahead with the procedural steps to complete the purchase of land.

The current plan is to fully dual the route. As part of that process, we are undertaking a transparent ... review”,

et cetera. It wastes the Parliament’s time if members do not listen to the original answer and the same answer has to be repeated.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I know that we cannot rehash the debate, but can you confirm that the Cabinet secretary’s initial answer was that the Scottish Government is committed to “improving the A96”, not to fully dualling it?

Mr Ross, you will know that it is not for the chair to determine the responses or, indeed, the supplementary questions.

Karen Adam has a supplementary.

Significant improvements have been made to road infrastructure in the north-east since 2007 and upgrades to the A96 are an important next step. Will the Cabinet secretary set out some examples of how Scottish Government investment has improved connectivity across the north-east?

The north-east demands and deserves good connectivity, which is why this Government has spent more than £1 billion on road infrastructure in the north-east since 2007 and opened two new railway stations. There have been projects such as the A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch bypass, or the new Inveramsay bridge on the A96 and it was this Government that benefited the north-east through the completion of the Aberdeen west peripheral route, which has reduced journey times and improved journey reliability for those travelling round the city of Aberdeen. Additionally, the Haudagain roundabout project has improved traffic flow. Those are all investments by this Government in the north-east of Scotland.