Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
A £1.5 million pound safety upgrade to the key route for northern Scotland takes a significant step forward this month (December 2007).
Transport Scotland has published Draft Slip Road and Side Road Orders for the A9 Bankfoot improvement project, signalling the start of the statutory process.
The planned junction improvements will incorporate new slip roads to and from the southbound A9. This will remove right turns into Bankfoot to and from the A9 improving safety and traffic flow on this vital road for local communities and the northern economy as a whole.
Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson said
"The local community will be delighted that this project is moving towards the next stage. This investment will improve safety for all users of the A9 and particularly for local residents in Bankfoot.
"This Scottish Government is committed to providing a first class transport network which will support and grow our economy. This project plays a vital part in the delivery of our vision, bringing benefits not just to the North, but to the whole of Scotland."
Subject to the successful outcome of the statutory process, it is estimated work will start in Autumn 2008 taking around six months to complete.
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
