THE preferred route option for the section of the route between Pass of Birnam and Tay Crossing section of the A9 dualling programme has been identified.
Public exhibitions will be held on 29 and 30 January 2024 in Birnam Arts Centre. In the meantime, an online exhibition and story map, which includes information on the preferred route option and how it was chosen, has gone live and the public can leave feedback on the plans here.
Scotland’s transport minister Fiona Hyslop said, “Design work continues to be progressed at pace across the A9 dualling programme, with ministerial decisions to complete the statutory process confirmed for over 92% of the length to be dualled. We will continue to build on the design work already undertaken across the programme by completing the statutory process during 2024 for the outstanding three schemes which have received ministerial consent and acquiring the necessary land to align with the timescales set out for delivery of the various sections.
“The only section not to have started the statutory process is the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing project, which has been the subject of a co-creative process with the local community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their work through the co-creative process which has helped broaden our vision for the A9 dualling through this section of the route.
“I recently met the Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group to discuss their concerns ahead of a decision being made on the preferred route option for this section. I truly value the input the Community Group has made during the process. I can confirm that the preferred route announced today includes a number of the elements of the community’s preferred route option, including a roundabout at Dunkeld and the junction layouts at The Hermitage and Dalguise. Inclusion of these will help meet the community’s objective of promoting long-term and sustainable economic growth within Dunkeld, Birnam and the surrounding area.
“Local communities and road users will have the chance to see and comment on our plans for this challenging section of the A9 at face-to-face public exhibitions at the end of January and via an online exhibition which will go live today. Going forward as we further develop our plans for this section of the A9, I remain committed to maintaining the positive community relationship built during the co-creative process.
“The next step for the project is the detailed development and assessment of the preferred route option, which is now underway and will conclude with the publication of draft orders by spring 2025 for comment.”
