The Scottish Government will miss its target of dualling the A96 by 2030, the Transport Secretary has announced.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Fiona Hyslop said ministers still favour fully dualling the road between Inverness and Aberdeen.
But she did not say when the project would be completed.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross claimed the Scottish Government had abandoned its pledge to fully dual the A96.
The former Scottish Tory leader, along with Inverness and Nairn SNP MSP Fergus Ewing, accused ministers of “betraying” locals who use the road.
Ms Hyslop delivered a statement to MSPs on the same day Transport Scotland’s A96 corridor review was published.
The 2,000-page report includes full dualling and a list of other options including a “multi-modal refined package” of proposals.
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The cost of full dualling east of Nairn to Aberdeen is estimated in the range of £2.5 billion to £5 billion, which compares with a range of £501 million to £1 billion for the refined package.
Transport Scotland said: “That is why, along with its performance in relation to the assessment criteria, the appraisal has identified that the refined package of options is the optimal one.”
Ms Hyslop told Holyrood: “The Scottish Government’s current plan is to fully duel the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.
“As part of this process, Transport Scotland has been undertaking a transparent, evidence-based review.”
Ms Hyslop was interrupted by Mr Ross, who accused her of deliberately misleading Parliament and said the government is “backsliding” on its commitment.
The Transport Secretary went on: “The Scottish Government currently favours fully dualling the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.
“The A96 corridor review evidence suggests that there may be a different approach to provide alternative solutions at a more cost-effective, affordable budget.
“It is important that we gather the public’s views before making a final decision on the programme. So today, we are also launching a 12-week consultation on outcomes of the review.
“This will provide people, businesses and organisations with the opportunity to fully consider the findings from the detailed work that has been undertaken by Transport Scotland.”
Mr Ross described the review as a “sham” and said the Transport Secretary’s statement was a “disgrace”.
He said: “Make no mistake, it is as clear as day from this review that they are no longer committed to dualling the A96 in full and that is the ultimate betrayal of my constituents in Moray, the Highlands and the north east, who were promised time and time again that this road would be a priority, and it clearly isn’t.
“I haven’t believed a word the Cabinet Secretary has said today. If she is going to convince me that the SNP will fully dual the A96 in full, could she tell the chamber when?
Ms Hyslop said a timetable would be set out once decisions on which parts of the road are dulled first are made.
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