The UK Government have been asked to intervene if the SNP "renege on their promises" to dual the A96 in full from Inverness to Inverurie.
North East MP Andrew Bowie has asked UK Transport Secretary Grant Schapps whether he will work directly with Moray and Aberdeenshire councils “to help ensure” dualling goes ahead.
The Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine’s question comes after doubts emerged that the Scottish Greens will allow their SNP coalition partners to honour the 2021 election manifesto commitment to dual the whole route.
Green MSP Maggie Chapman threw the project into doubt in an interview where she stated the full upgrade would “not be viable”.
Mr Bowie said:
“People who have waited more than 30 years for this project can’t count on the Scottish Government not to renege on their promises made before the Holyrood election.
“Like so much else, I worry it will be left to the councils to fill in multiple gaps along the A96, because it looks like the public might only get half a job done.
“A public who will not care one jot who delivers it, just that it is done.
“If this was a dangerous stretch of road in the central belt, it wouldn’t even be up for discussion.
“The SNP would be held hostage by a Green agenda that is even more ignorant of the North East than the previous administration.
“Direct help for our councils shouldn’t be needed but I believe the stakes are now so high that it could be necessary.”
