Perthshire residents and businesses who may be affected by the £3 billion dualling of the A9 Perth to Inverness road are being urged to contact Scotland’s main roads body.
Merle Boyd of Savills, which is acting for a number of property owners located on the A9 regarding “disturbance” and “injurious” claims, stressed the importance of these parties communicating with Transport Scotland.
“For the sections where compulsory purchase draft orders have not been issued, it is important those parties who may be affected, and may have concerns about possible routes, engage with Transport Scotland as early as possible,” she said.
“This may allow potential impacts and possible alternatives to be considered.”
She added: “Once the draft orders have been served, although there is an opportunity for affected parties to object, it’s much more difficult to get the proposals altered.
“Therefore, people need to consider carefully now whether there might be potential impacts on their land and property, and whether there may be alternative routes which might mitigate the losses to their property.
“They should be making these proposals to Transport Scotland as early as possible.”
Ms Boyd made her comments on the same day it was announced that the five-mile Kincraig to Dalraddy stretch near Aviemore is taking shape and should be completed by the summer of 2017.
The Luncarty to Pass of Birnam part of the A9 Perth to Inverness road is the next part of the mammoth project due for construction.
However, before this proceeds the statutory process and appropriate procurement exercise must be completed first.
It is understood that Transport Scotland is awaiting a decision from Scottish ministers on the public local inquiry that has taken place before issuing compulsory purchase orders to local landowners to enable work to commence.
Most other sections of the A9 are still undergoing the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges stage two assessments, which is where the route and design options are considered, and are at a less advanced stage.
Exhibitions have been held by Transport Scotland, showing early route options, with further exhibitions planned over the next few months, which are designed to provide more detail about the route options and junction designs.
The A9 has been dubbed “Scotland’s most dangerous road” due to the number of fatal accidents and accidents that have occurred there.
Anyone wishing more information on the A9 dualling proposals should phone 01738 445588.