'Tragic loss' on A9 sparks fresh calls to dual 'dangerous road'
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A fatal road crash on the A9 near Newtonmore which claimed the life of a 90-year-old man has prompted fresh calls to dual the A9.
Campaigners said the collision – which happened on Wednesday afternoon – raised concerns on the safety of the trunk road once again.
This is the third death following collisions on the A9 this month, after Nairn truck driver Jamie Noble died in a crash between North Kessock and Tore on March 12 and Evanton's Roy Bannerman died following a crash on the A9 near Aviemore on March 5.
Inverness and Nairn SNP MSP Fergus Ewing, who has pushed for the Inverness-Perth stretch to be fully dualled, said: "This is another tragic loss of life and our thoughts, of course, are with the family bereaved.
"It would not be appropriate to comment on the particular circumstances of this fatality as this will be investigated by the police.
"However, the campaign to dual the A9 continues and myself and politicians in other main parties and members of the public will press the case for more clarity and certainty as to when the northern sections will be dualled – namely those in the Highlands between Drumochter and Inverness as opposed to Perthshire, which are scheduled first."
The Inverness Courier launched its Dual The A9 campaign last February after the Scottish Government admitted that their original pledge to dual the A9 from Inverness-Perth by 2025 was unachievable.
In December, it was announced that a new completion date for dualling the A9 from Inverness to Perth had been set for 2035.
Laùra Hänsler, of the A9 Dual Action Group, said about yesterday's incident: "It once again highlights what a dangerous road the A9 is for all road users,
"It is unclear the specifics of where and how this collision took place, but our thoughts are with the gentleman’s family and loved ones and our thanks again to all those emergency services in attendance."
