Newroadopens atBerthaPark

A section of the new multi-million pound road being built west of Perth was officially opened this week with another section due to open today (Friday).

The first part, which opened at the start of the week, leads from a new roundabout on the city’s Ruthvenfield Road to Bertha Park where contractors are currently working on a new secondary school.

An A9 southbound offslip was also scheduled to open this morning, giving southbound drivers a link to the A85.

Its northbound counterpart is anticipated to be finished sometime in August.

A new grade-separated junction between the A9 and A85, and other associated infrastructure including a new footbridge over the A9, are also being constructed with completion expected in spring next year.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Murray Lyle commented:“[This is an] important milestone for Perth’s long term growth and expansion… Perth and Kinross is amongst the fastest growing areas in Scotland in terms of population, and planning for house building and infrastructure to support this growth has been crucial.

“This new link road will provide access off the new junction to the major Bertha Park development.

“Bertha Park will include some 3000 new houses, 750 of which will be affordable housing ... and, of course, the £32 million Bertha Park High School, our first new secondary school in over 40 years, which will open its doors to pupils and staff in August 2019. ”

Hector MacAulay, a regional managing director for the project’s lead contractor, Balfour Beatty, added: “I am delighted with the progress made to date on this project, with completion of this major milestone to programme and budget.

“We have been working in close collaboration with PKC to deliver this strategically important infrastructure and are now providing early assistance on ... the Cross Tay Link Road.”

For more information on the Perth Transport Futures Project visit https:// www.perthtransportfutures.co.uk.

For more details on the new school, see www.pkc.gov.uk/berthapark