ROADWORKS on Scotland's A9 have been paused for "easier travel" to Bonfire Night events and the final weekend of the Enchanted Forest amid public complaints.
Gas distributor SGN is working on the road which connects the eastern central belt of Scotland to its most northernly town, Thurso.
However, motorists have been experiencing significant delays since beginning phase two of the work in October, SGN said, and the company have had to implement additional measures to reduce disruption as the work progresses.
Some travellers are being delayed by over two hours, affecting bus travel timetables and causing breakdowns.
The statement was announced by transport secretary Fiona Hyslop in the Holyrood chamber after a number of MSPs raised the issue.
John Swinney SNP MSP said delays had resulted in "huge and significant economic and social damage" to his constituency Perthshire North.
Initially, SGN announced on Friday they would manually control temporary traffic lights 24/7 until the Enchanted Forest event finishes next Sunday (November 5). Since work started, these had been automatic.
However, "after listening to feedback from customers and our stakeholders, we've decided to pause work later this week", the company stated in a statement.
They added: "This will enable easier travel for those attending Bonfire Night events and the final weekend of the Enchanted Forest before we move into the next section of our project at the A9.
"The A9 will be fully opened temporarily from Friday until Sunday night. Our work will resume first thing Monday morning and continue until completion in February 2024.
"Once again, we are very sorry for the inconvenience being caused."
Former deputy first minister Swinney revealed he had "never" had a phone call "quite so disengaged" with a corporate body leader as his call with the chief executive of SGN on Friday, October 28.
He asked Hyslop (above): "Will the minister take every opportunity to impress SGN the importance of understanding that while their may be legitimacy for the repairs they they have got to undertake, that cannot be at the expense of everybody else that is using the A9, and particularly the communities that I represent?".
Hyslop replied: "I do share concerns about SGN's approach to this project, and the level of engagement and communication. I think they can achieve it in a far more proactive, and I think they did reach out and consult - but it's one thing trying to let people know what you're doing, it's another in proactively engaging to understand the issues.
"I have to emphasise that this is not a repair, this is about a relocation of gas works that need to be moved because of the fast-flowing [River] Tay, and previous flooding that is exposing gas piping. So, I understand the importance and the priority nature of doing this, but there is a way of doing this.
"Just because a corporate organisation has the right under UK legislation as a utility to do this work, they also have a responsibility to the communities and individuals that John Swinney has the privilege to represent."
The work at the A9 involves the relocation of a high pressure pipeline to "ensure a safe and reliable gas supply to thousands of homes across the region", including Birnam, Logierait, Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry.
