A9 plan would see wildlife given bridges to safety

Conservationists have called for novel wildlife bridges to be built over the A9 Inverness-Perth road so animals can cross safely.

The plea came on Tuesday as plans were revealed to dual part of the trunk road that passes through Cairngorms National Park.

Although the new design contains four underpasses, Roy Brown, of Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group, said he wanted to see “green bridges” to provide a safe crossing for animals such as deer and badgers.

Designs for turning the Kincraig-Dalraddy stretch into dual carriageway went on show to the public at Kincraig.

The upgrade is part of a £3 billion plan and Transport Scotland said it was hoped work could start by 2016.

Mr Brown said: “Research in Scandinavia shows that the overpasses really do work.”

It would be a “bold statement of commitment to the environment” from Transport Scotland but he felt the agency lacked “a lot of vision” in that regard.

Locals at the exhibition called for the upgrade as soon as possible.

Ian Gibson, from Newtonmore, said: “I’m very happy with the plans. The feeling is that we would like to see things happening quicker.”