Moray SNP News

MSP CALLS FOR ACTION TO WIDEN NARROWEST SECTIONS OF A95 'Whisky Highway'

Richard Lochhead MSP today met with Martin Brown, Director at McPhersons of Aberlour, to call for steps to be taken to improve the narrowest sections of the A95.  Some of the most problematic sections of the road, which is key to transporting Speyside whisky south, contributes to damage being caused to McPherson's vehicles costing the local firm around £1000 per month in wing mirror components.

Moray's MSP is seeking clarification from Transport Scotland as to their planned timescales for carrying out improvements to the most challenging section of the road.  He is calling for the narrowest parts of the road to be prioritised given the importance of the whisky road to the local economy.

Mr Lochhead also said there is a good case for the UK Government to contribute to the upkeep of the road, given the vast sums of money the Speyside whisky industry contributes to the UK Treasury each year.

Commenting, the MSP said:

"The A95, Scotland's "whisky highway' is absolutely key to Moray's economy with millions of litres of whisky transported on the road every week. 

" All agencies recognise that the road improvements are needed on the A95 and it is important that Transport Scotland provide details on the timescales involved in carrying out work on the narrowest sections of the road.    

"It's quite astounding that local firm McPhersons are having to spend £1000 a week repairing wing mirrors because of damage caused on these narrow sections and it clearly demonstrates the need for this work to be prioritised. This is also an issue that impacts on local people, other sectors such as forestry and tourists.

"The Scottish Government has a good track record of investing in Moray's road infrastructure, with the Fochabers by-pass being delivered, and the progress in dualling the A96, and I hope that commitment will carry over to the A95.  It is perhaps about time that the UK Government contributed to the upkeep of this key road given the huge revenues sent to Treasury each year from Speyside's whisky industry."