Plans to dual a major North-east road have a taken a step forward with a £50 million design work contract awarded.

Transport Scotland has granted the work to carry out a route option assessment and detailed design work for dualling the 26-mile eastern section of the A96 between east of Huntly and Aberdeen.

The work will be undertaken by Amey and Arup in a joint venture.

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, said: “We are fully committed to dualling the A96, some 86 miles of upgraded road between Inverness and Aberdeen, by 2030.

“The fact that four tenderers, including joint ventures, competed for this major contract is evidence of the interest in the market engendered by the infrastructure improvements this government is delivering across the country including in the north.

“This major design contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that it will bring to local economies right across the north of Scotland.”

It is expected the Amey Arup joint venture will start on the design work next month.

Mr Brown added: “Road users will not only enjoy the benefits of improved journey time and reliability, better connectivity between destinations but also, crucially, improved road safety for all those who use this key artery connecting two of Scotland’s economic hubs.

“In addition, this contract will also provide a huge boost for the local and national economy, with the successful bidder securing steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work.

“We are at the same time progressing the design work for the Inverness to Nairn route, including the Nairn Bypass and also the western section of the route between Hardmuir and Fochabers, having recently let locals and road users see and comment on the options being taken forward for the western section with a view to identifying a preferred route option next year.”