Perthshire communities are being urged to have their say on the Scottish Government’s ambitious £3 billion A9 dualling programme at a series of forthcoming roadshows.
Transport Minister Keith Brown has encouraged the public to give feedback when the exhibitions get under way next week.
In June, the Scottish Government stated that it would be bringing forward the dualling of the notorious A9 from Inverness to Perth. The improvements will begin by 2015-16 instead of 2017-18, as was first announced.
The A9 has an unenviable reputation as having the highest or joint highest fatality rate of all roads in Scotland in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010.
There have been almost 90 deaths along the highway’s 273 miles from Stirling to Caithness over the last six years. This includes tragedies on the parts of the A9 that are already dual carriageways, such as the stretch from Stirling to Perth.
The entire road had more than 1,026 accidents over the five years for which figures are available an average of more than 200 a year.
There are seven sections of single carriageway, covering 80 miles in total, to dual. The Scottish Government aims to have the entire stretch of the road dualled by 2025.
Mr Brown said that ”real strides” have already been made in getting two sections of the A9 ready for construction and is asking local residents to attend the roadshows in Perthshire.
He said: ”Less than a year ago this Scottish Government gave the first ever commitment to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025. Already we are seeing progress, with preparatory work under way and consultants appointed for the preliminary engineering and environmental work.
”Equally, we are making real strides towards making the Kincraig to Dalraddy, and Luncarty to Pass of Birnam sections ready for construction. We aim to keep up momentum by giving the public a chance to comment at the early stages of this vital project for the Highlands and Islands, and Scotland as a whole.
”That is why I encourage everyone with an interest to come along and help ensure local needs are reflected as we develop the dualling programme.”
Alex Neil, cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment, previously highlighted the work involved in dualling the A9.
”Dualling each of these seven existing single carriageway sections represents a major project in its own right,” he said.
”Each requires in-depth planning and design to ensure that we deliver the right scheme at the right price, and each needs to keep impacts on communities, businesses and the environment to an absolute minimum.”
The exhibitions will also include information on the work going on to maintain the route, a study of the Keir roundabout to Luncarty section of the A9, and plans for the upgrade of the Highland Main Line.
The roadshows will take place at Pitlochry Town Hall on Monday, from noon to 7pm; Dewars Centre, Perth, on December 7, from noon to 7pm; Birnam Arts and Conference Centre on December 10, from 10am to 3pm; Birnam Hotel on the same day, from 6pm to 8pm; and Bankfoot Church Centre on December 13, from noon to 7pm.
Copies of the exhibition panels and an A9 dualling leaflet will be available from Monday at
transportscotland.gov.uk/a9dualling
. Comments should be sent by February 28 to a9dualling@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk.