Dual the A9 Campaigner and Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, is set to raise concerns with Highlands and Islands Enterprise on Monday over the economic impact of longer journeys on the A9 as a result of average speed cameras.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise are giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on Monday in Perth.
Both the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry have voiced opposition to the cameras citing detrimental economic consequences as a result of longer journey times. Mike Burns, who is leading the campaign against the cameras, believes they could lead to a loss of more than 2,500 jobs.
Posters on the Dual the A9 Facebook page have complained at slow journey times and having to drive with their eyes fixed on the speedometer, a selection of their comments is included in the notes to editors section.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“I am concerned that there appears to have been little financial modelling into the economic impact of average speed cameras and as you can see from some of the comments on the “Dual the A9” Facebook page drivers are facing heavy delays already.
“If motorists are facing delays of up to an hour this could result in a net loss of £52 million to the Highland economy and I will be raising this with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
“There is a danger that the average speed cameras will see slower-moving traffic, longer queues, increasingly frustrated drivers, and more dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
“Only time will tell if the cameras can make a real difference to road safety and I hope that, should it turn out that the sceptics have this right, then there will be swift action to remove the cameras and return the road to its original state. Above all, I hope that added impetus can be given to the essential dualling programme, which is the real answer to the A9’s problems.”