A9 quarry application approved
Perth and Kinross councillors have unanimously approved an application to extend the hours of operation at a quarry vital to the dualling of the A9.
Councillors were keen to help speed up progress with the dualling of the A9.
The planning and development management committee met virtually on Wednesday (April 29) to discuss the application.
Breedon Group operates a sand and gravel quarry at Loak Farm, Bankfoot.
It was granted planning permission in December 2018 to excavate 400,000 tons of sand and gravel over a 30-month period to serve the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section of the Scottish Governments’ A9 dualling project.
The approval commenced in spring 2019 but the main contractor has asked for the supply of asphalt from 6am Monday to Saturday, as opposed to the current approval from 7am.
PKC councillors unanimously agreed to this as they met remotely from their homes via Microsoft Teams.
Cllr Ian James, who represents the Strathtay ward, was happy to move the application for approval. He said: “I am more than happy to stand up and be counted if there’s an issue with this extra hour. It’s an important road and I would not like to see anything hamper this work.”
Cllr Henry Anderson said he would normally have reservations about work starting at 6am but agreed the dualling of this section of the A9 was a “priority.” He stressed the importance of getting it done “as quick as possible” and enticing tourists back as soon as “we get out this dark tunnel.”
Councillors Grant Laing and Willie Wilson were both supportive but asked that assurances be made about strict enforcement of how the Bankfoot site was accessed.
A spokesperson for Breedon Group welcomed the news. He said the change would make it easier for them to supply the road workers early in the morning to start work.