A £30m contract for the first section of the A96 dualling programme has been awarded by Transport Scotland.

The design contract, for the Inverness to Nairn – including Nairn Bypass – section of the route, has been awarded to Jacobs UK Ltd.

Commenting on the appointment, which is subject to the mandatory standstill period, Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, said: "The Scottish Government has given a clear commitment to dual the A96 which will see delivery of around 88 miles of upgraded road between Inverness and Aberdeen, a huge task but one we are relishing.

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"Dualling the A96 requires careful, in-depth planning and design so that we deliver the right scheme and help tackle congestion, make journey times more reliable and, crucially, improve road safety.

"Design work will start soon to develop the preferred option which was on public display last October, and look to publish draft road orders for the scheme in 2016."

Mr Brown added that Transport Scotland is also continuing with its early engineering and environmental assessment work for the entire A96 route. Exhibitions will be held along the route this spring, and will provide the public with an opportunity to view and comment on the plans.

(JP/CD)