With work not due to start on dualling the A9 until 2017, a Perthshire man is calling for immediate action to cut the accident toll.
Hamish Carlton, who lives in Little Dunkeld, believes an experimental roundabout trial should be implemented in the area while plans are being drawn up for the £200 million project between Luncarty and the Jubilee Bridge north of Dunkeld.
Transport Scotland is consulting the public on the options available through a series of exhibitions staged last week in Perth, Birnam and Bankfoot.
Mr Carlton, who commended the consultation process, attended the exhibition in the Birnam Institute, where feedback was welcomed.
”There are three options, both at the Birnam and Dunkeld junctions namely a bridge, a roundabout or an underpass,” Mr Carlton said.
”However, the timescale of a start to these works, which would be at least 2018 before one or other of these works would be completed, is quite unacceptable in terms of timeframe. We need action, even if temporary, long before that, particularly in the summer months.
”Trying to cross on to the A9, or come to Birnam from the old A9 from Bankfoot, or the A822 from Amulree is a dangerous nightmare, with the main A9 traffic stream rushing past, usually well in excess of the 60mph speed limit, and long queues of frustrated traffic build up waiting for a glimmer of hope to make the crossing.
”As one of the options given by Transport Scotland, for both the Birnam and Dunkeld junctions, are roundabouts, why do Transport Scotland not run an experimental trial in the interim by placing temporary roundabouts at each of these locations?
”I would point out to them the experience of the temporary roundabout at Ballinluig when the bridge was under construction there. This was simply put in, immediately effective and, with the 40mph speed limit in the area resulted, as far as I am aware, in no fatal or other accidents.
”If one imposed the 40mph speed limit from the Birnam junction to beyond the Dunkeld junction, this would also benefit those trying to enter or exit the railway station at Dunkeld and Birnam.
”The Ballinluig roundabout was a simple red and white series of bollards, which, in conjunction with the speed limits, ensured safety for all and no long tailbacks of traffic.
”Such an experiment would also determine whether this was the best alternative, relative to the much higher costs and construction disruption, of bridges and underpasses. Most importantly, it would start saving lives and avoiding horrific injuries now.”
The Scottish Government is committed to dualling the length of the A9 from Perth to Inverness by 2025, with the Luncarty to Dunkeld section the first phase of the project.