Today, the A9 south was again blocked, near The Ord, this time due to a fallen tree. Yes, we know it is winter, and we understand that these things happen, but the point we make is that if all our services are going to be constantly centralised to the faraway city, then we MUST have totally reliable and fit for purpose travel links to and from Inverness and beyond.
There is constant talk of dualling the A9 to Inverness – or even to Nigg Roundabout – and that is fine. But it is 81 miles from Nigg Roundabout to Scrabster, and the A99 from Latheron to Wick leaves a huge amount to be desired as well. The A9 does NOT stop at Inverness / Nigg.
Yesterday, a meeting was held with Edward Mountain MSP, with Iain from CRR / CHAT, who pointed these facts out. It was also made clear that 202 expectant mums had to undertake the torturous journey from Caithness to Inverness in 2022 – in labour, in pain, frightened, and distressed, often in the middle of the night, in dangerous weather conditions.
Edward has undertaken to raise a Motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for increased investment in the A9 north, as well as the obvious (very obvious) need to upgrade the network of cart tracks serving as roads in the county. Edward will visit Caithness soon, along with Rhoda Grant, MSP, and will meet with CHAT / CRR.
Much media coverage will follow………………
Caithness Health Action Team 