A Scottish Parliament committee is 'concerned' over whether funding will be available for the dualling of the A9, having concluded disputes over cash 'significantly contributed' to the failure to achieve the 2025 target.

In 2011 the Scottish Government pledged to dual the road between Perth and Inverness by 2025, but it admitted in 2023 that the target was "unachievable".

A revised deadline has been set for 2035, with the citizen participation and public petitions committee holding an inquiry into the failure to meet the original target following a petition from Laura Hansler.

The Scottish Parliament committee has released its report, which found that a lack of agreement on the availability and type of funding "significantly contributed" to the failure to meet the 2025 goal.

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It further states that the body "remains concerned" about whether funding will be available when it needs to be in order to meet the revised deadline.

Documents were submitted by Transport Scotland showing that issues were raised repeatedly, over the course of several years, which pointed to the increasing risk of the 2025 target becoming unachievable.

Its own role was also scrutinised by the committee, which said it was "unclear" where the A9 dualling project sat within Transport Scotland's wider portfolio.

There was also concern about the lack of open and external dialogue about the challenges being faced with the project, something which could undermine the public’s confidence in the body’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects.

(Image: PA) Speaking as the report launched, committee convener Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “The A9 is a key route for the Scottish economy and tourism. But the dualling of the A9 is not just important for Scotland’s economy but for the safety of all those using it. Too many people have lost their lives on this road and the thoughts of the committee go out to the families of everyone affected.

“What has become clear to the committee is that a lack of clarity over the availability of funding has, fundamentally, resulted in not just a failure to deliver this project, but it contributed to wider failure to be open about the challenges being faced by the project.

“This is, quite frankly, unacceptable for those who live and work in Northern Scotland. And whilst a revised date for completion of the project has been announced by the cabinet secretary, the delay of the Tomatin to Moy section of the A9 makes us unconvinced that lessons of the past have been learned.

"Our committee is strongly of the view that there must be a duty of candour introduced for major projects such as this, to ensure that not only Parliament but also the public are informed about progress.

“We are also calling for proper parliamentary scrutiny through the establishment of a parliamentary committee which could oversee major infrastructure projects. This will help to ensure that the people who rely on the A9 are not failed once again.”

The A9 has been dubbed Scotland's most dangerous road, with an average of 5.4 deaths per year between 2011 and 2022.

Transport Scotland's own figures state there are twice as many deaths on single carriageway sections of the road compared to the stretches which have already been dualled.

The committee, which heard from witnesses including Nicola Sturgeon and the late Alex Salmond as well as several former transport ministers is being urged to consider the creation of a national memorial to those who have died on the road.

In her evidence to the committee Ms Sturgeon apologised for the failure to meet the 2025 target, saying complexities included how the work would be funded but there were also "unforeseen" circumstances caused by austerity, Brexit and the pandemic.

She also said she supported calls for a memorial to those who have been killed on the road.

Mr Salmond, who was First Minister when the pledge was made to dual the road by 2025 said his cabinet had regarded the target as "challenging but achievable".

The Alba Party leader, who died in North Macedonia last month, said completing the project was "a matter of principle, a matter of integrity and a matter of honour".

So far two sections totalling 11 miles have been upgraded, with 77 miles still to be done.

Mr Carlaw and the committee have been nominated for Committee MSP of the Year at The Herald's Scottish Politician of the Year Awards.