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The Scottish Government has confirmed in a parliamentary answer to Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser that it currently has no plans to increase the speed limits applying to HGVs on trunk roads.

Murdo Fraser asked whether it will consider increasing HGV speed limits from 40mph to 50mph on Scotland s trunk roads as an option to help reduce driver frustration on the A9. In response to Murdo Fraser s parliamentary question, Transport Minister Keith Brown stated:

We currently have no plans to increase the speed limits applying to HGVs on trunk roads, although we do now have the power to do so under the Scotland Act 2012.

The Scottish Government confirmed to Murdo Fraser that it has discussed the issue with the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association.

Murdo Fraser MSP said:

It is important that the Scottish Government considers all proposals that will help reduce accidents on Scotland s roads. I believe the focus for the A9 must be on the dualling of the road in its entirety between Perth and Inverness as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government need to continue their dialogue with road haulage and freight representatives regarding proposals to improve road safety on Scotland s trunk roads, including the option of increasing speed limits for HGVs from 40mph to 50mph.

Many drivers do not realise that the speed limit for HGVs is set at 40mph. Some road groups believe an increased speed limit to 50mph for HGVs will help reduce the build-up of queues of frustrated car drivers behind slow moving trucks.

The Scottish Government must also be working with the freight industry to make it a more viable option for more companies to use rail freight between the Highlands and the Central Belt instead of the A9 to reduce the number of HGVs travelling on the road.