SCOTLAND’S TRANSPORT MINISTER has accepted an invitation to Moray where he can see for himself the issues being faced on the A95 ‘Whisky Highway’.
Haulage firms and local politicians have been highlighting the often dangerous nature of the main route between the region’s distilleries and their distribution markets in the south.
These included Richard Lochhead MSP, who recently highlighted the problem of one haulier – Aberlour-based McPherson’s – and the £4000 monthly bill they face in having to replace wing mirrors destroyed by trucks attempting to pass each other on the road.
Mr Lochhead recently med with transport minister Humza Yousaf to discuss the issue – after which Mr Yousaf accepted an invitation to come to Moray.
The Moray MSP said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the Transport Minister and to discuss investment in the A95 with him.
“He’s very much aware of the importance of the A95, Scotland’s ‘whisky highway’, to Moray’s economy with millions of litres of whisky transported on the road every week.
“I took the opportunity to highlight the astounding fact that local business McPherson’s are having to spend £1000 a week on wing mirror parts as a result of damage caused on the narrowest sections of the road, demonstrating the need for work to be prioritised.
“Given how absolutely key the A95 is to the whisky industry, local people and other sectors such as forestry and tourism, I invited the Minister to visit Moray and to see some of the more problematic areas first hand.
“I’m delighted he has agreed to visit and look forward to more in depth discussions with him as to how we can improve the condition of the A95 for all the road users who rely on this route.”
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