THE latest improvement to the A9 was completed yesterday, with Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson visiting the site just north of Helmsdale.

He promised an announcement in the near future about dualling the main route to Inverness, but yesterday he was opening a new section further north.

The completion of work worth £5.45m to improve a key section of the A9 at Helmsdale would increase safety, reduce driver frustration and provide more overtaking opportunities, said Mr Stevenson..

Speaking at the site of the 1.3 mile improvement on the road to Ord of Caithness, Mr Stevenson said: "The A9 is a key artery in Scotland's transport network and it is vital that we continue to invest in improvements to the road on a continuing and progressive basis.

"This £5.45m investment will increase safety, reduce driver frustration and provide more overtaking opportunities for those using the road.

"It will also deliver improved connections for local people, businesses and tourists alike and provide better access to the Scrabster ferry terminal," he said.

"The Helmsdale improvements completed today are just one part of investment in the A9 amounting to some £50m over the next four years."

And he continued: "Options for how best to dual the A9 will emerge from the Strategic Transport Projects Review which will report to Ministers shortly."

The new section combines footway, cycleway and an access road for the local community and was built using £1m of EU funding towards the cost.