A9 project brings cycle paths boost

Transport minister sees community benefits

Scotland’s transport minister visited the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project last week to see the “range of benefits delivered to the communities of Perthshire throughout the project’s construction period”.

Graeme Dey MSP was joined by members of local community organisation Stanley Development Trust and charity Cycling Without Age Scotland, as members of the trust explored some of the four kilometres of cycle paths, constructed as part of the £96 million infrastructure project to upgrade to this section of the A9 to dual carriageway.

Following a trishaw ride with the members of Stanley Development Trust, Mr Dey met with representatives from the project partners who have been instrumental in delivering the project’s ambitious community benefits targets, including Academy9, Barnardo’s, Developing the Young Workforce and HM Prison Perth.

According to Transport Scotland, the project has created 65 job opportunities and engaged with over 4000 school children.

Donations of more than £13,663 have also been made to local good causes from Balfour Beatty and its sub-contractors.

Mr Dey said: “Transport infrastructure is key to improving connectivity in rural areas like Highland Perthshire and all across Scotland.

“It is also key to boosting economic prosperity and growth nationally and locally. The new and upgraded non-motorised user (NMU) route, some of which we’ve made use of during my visit, supports active travel choices and encourage people to opt to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys.

“It is clear this project has delivered so much more than the physical infrastructure. With the support of third sector organisations and local community partners, this project has helped improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the surrounding communities, by providing training and employment opportunities, fair working practices, promotion of equality, supporting small to medium enterprises and charities – the list goes on.”

Gemma Patterson, project sponsor for Transport Scotland, added: “The successful delivery of this major infrastructure project, has recently reached its biggest milestone as the road opened to traffic in August. This provides an opportunity to reflect on, and to celebrate the breadth of opportunities that have benefited the people and communities of Perthshire.

“Community benefits were an integral part of the contract awarded to Balfour Beatty to upgrade the A9 to a dual carriageway between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam, and I am delighted to report that the project has successfully delivered on the challenging targets set at the outset.

“With the help of our community partners, the project has maximised employment and work placements, delivered skills and training to support young people at school, colleges and universities, and has inspired and encouraged careers using science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) within the next generation of engineers – that is our legacy.”

The A9 dualling project aims to upgrade 80 miles of road from Perth to Inverness, although concerns about the future of the project have been raised.