The dualling of the Perth-to-Inverness section of the A9 has the backing of one of Tayside’s leading policemen.
Chief Superintendent Roddy Ross, who heads western division in Perth, says he favours the Scottish Government’s plans to progressively upgrade the A9.
The road should be completely dualled between Perth and Inverness by 2025.
Upgrading will cost around £3 billion and is part of the Scottish Government’s new capital spending programme, set to cost around £10 billion in total.
The Perth-to-Inverness A9 has been branded the most dangerous road in Scotland and has a very high rate of accidents and fatalities. Six people died following accidents on the stretch this year. This followed on from 13 fatalities in 2010. And a 16-year-old died on the A9 south of Perth in January.
The Scottish Government promised to dual the A9 in its 2007 election manifesto. The A9 Perth to Inverness Economic Appraisal Study estimated the upgrade could cut journey times by 22 minutes and create 724 jobs in the short term, rising to 4,500 over 30 years.
The dualling is estimated to begin in 2017 and the first stretch to be worked on will be between Luncarty and Birnam.
Organisations such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) have given their support to the move and Mr Ross has now added his.
”From purely a road safety perspective, of course dualling would be a good thing,” he said. ”Fortunately, policemen don’t have to make these decisions because the principle is great and I’m sure everyone can sign up to that. But actually doing it will take an enormous amount of work.
”From a policing perspective the A9 does give us a big challenge. It’s a busy road and it can be dangerous but I think we need to look at in perspective as well. We have to consider the countless thousands of people who travel it safely and are able to enjoy the scenery and access the countryside up to the Highlands.”