TRANSPORT Scotland has announced further progress in plans to deliver the A96 dualling between Inverness and Nairn.
Following the publication last year of Made Orders, the organisation has been pressing ahead with the procedural steps to take forward the final stage of the process to acquire the land required to construct the scheme.
This work is now complete and the General Vesting Declaration for the land required was executed on 20 March. This is a formal procedure that gives the ministers title to the land included in the made Compulsory Purchase Order.
Owners of land acquired through the process will receive compensation independently assessed and negotiated by the district valuer in line with the compensation code.
Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said, “I understand the importance of the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme to those living and working in the town of Nairn and the wider area and we are committed to delivering it. The publication of Made Orders for the scheme last year was a strong sign of our commitment to deliver this vital project.
“Following completion of the statutory process, we confirmed through the Programme for Government, which is specifically a Programme until September, that we would take forward the final stage of the process for acquisition of land required for the project. The procedural steps to make this happen have now been completed, delivering a further key milestone for the project.
“We also continue to progress the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering the scheme and thereafter a timetable for progress can then be set in line with available budgets. When completed, the dualling scheme will bring many benefits to local communities, businesses, visitors and road users living in the north and north east of Scotland, including reduced journey times, improved journey time reliability, further opportunities for active travel and, crucially, improved road safety.
“At the same time we are also continuing to press ahead with the necessary procedural steps to take forward the final stage in the process to acquire the land required for the adjacent A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton scheme and expect this to be completed shortly.”
