Information uncovered from Murdo Fraser MSP has shown that the number of A9 road closures has increased fourfold since 2010.
In 2010 the A9 was closed ten times due to incidents but by 2012 this number had jumped to 40, equating to a closure every 9 days.
The average length of time the road was closed was 3 hours and 37 minutes in 2012.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The huge increase in road closures since 2010 underlines the dangerous nature of the A9. For every closure there is invariably a human tragedy at the heart of it.
“Statistically every 9 days the A9 will be closed for well over 3 and a half hours and the economic impact of this is huge. This is felt not only by the towns and villages lining the route but for the shops and businesses relying on the road for goods and services in both Perth and Inverness, and further afield.
“Ultimately the only cure for the human and economic carnage caused by the road, is a fully dualled A9 and the Scottish Government must endeavour to have this completed before 2025 if at all possible.”