The death of a pedestrian on the A9 at the weekend has strengthened calls for safety improvements on the junctions around Dunkeld, according to local campaigners.
Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council said Sunday evening’s incident, in which a 44-year-old man was killed in a collision with a lorry, showed traffic has to be slowed in the area.
Despite calls for the notorious road to be made dual carriageway along its full length, the community council wants to see roundabouts installed at junctions.
Chairman Nan Johnston said, “This accident is further evidence something needs to be done to improve the safety around the five junctions between Birnam and the Jubilee Bridge.
“We’ve asked for roundabouts to slow the traffic and make it safer, both for pedestrians and drivers.
“There are a lot of walkers in this area and many have to cross the A9. There are footpaths and an underpass but there are lay-bys and a bus stop at Inver (where the accident happened) where people can cross.
“Dualling is not the answer because that would make a faster corridor by raising the speed limit by 10mph.
“We are looking for traffic calming and junction improvements for the safety of residents who live in the area and have to cross the A9, which is extremely busy every day.Response”It’s not just tourists and visitors, there are children living in Strathbraan who have to cross the road every day in their minibus to get to school.”
The community council has met Transport Scotland to discuss the issue but the response has not been encouraging.
Ms Johnston said, “We have met as recently as February to outline our concerns again and look for ways to improve safety.
“It’s the only place where an A road the A923 from Blairgowrie to Crieff crosses the A9 but we’ve been told there are not enough accidents to make changes, although we’ve now seen another one, unfortunately.”
Local councillor Barbara Vaughan said, “The government wants to dual the whole length of the A9 between Perth and Inverness and the communities in Dunkeld and Birnam are quite anxious about the safety measures taken to manage traffic as it passes through at speed.
“Roundabouts at Birnam and Dunkeld would slow the traffic down a bit and I think the vast majority would prefer this to make it safer for pedestrians and traffic going across the A9.”
Police have still to reveal the identity of the man killed at 6pm on Sunday but it is understood he is not local.