Moray MP Douglas Ross says the SNP-Green coalition are “betraying” the area over their failure to commit to fully dualling the A96.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist representative has once again hit out after being made aware that contractors for the route have shut an office in Forres.
In correspondence seen by Mr Ross, Mott MacDonald Sweco have cited the co-operation agreement between the SNP and Greens and their commitment to a climate change assessment as the reason for closing the office on Christmas Eve.
Mr Ross says this is further evidence of the damage that the nationalist coalition are doing to Moray and the North East economy. He has called on SNP Ministers, including local MSP Richard Lochhead, to stop bowing to the demands of their Green partners and be on the side of drivers and local jobs and investment in Moray.
Commenting Douglas said: “I was shocked to learn that key contractors for the A96 dualling project had shut their local office in Forres.
“That highlights that those involved with this vital project simply don’t have the confidence that the SNP are fully committed to ensuring this critical trunk road will be fully dualled.
“The SNP are betraying the North East by continuing to bow to the demands of their Green partners, who want to take cars off the road. Here in Moray cars are not a luxury but a necessity and this long-promised upgrade to the A96 must happen.
“The closure of this office is extremely worrying for the future of the project and we need SNP Ministers to finally commit to fully dualling the A96 as they previously promised to. If they don’t, they are putting local jobs and economic growth at risk.
“The A96 needs to be upgraded to give drivers a safer and improved journey between Aberdeen and Inverness, but this office closure has cast fresh doubt on the project.
“Only the Scottish Conservatives are standing up for the North East and we will continue to urge the policies of the extremist Greens to be ditched in favour of essential road upgrades.”