A9 roundabout would increase safety, claims community

Transport Scotland has agreed to consider installing a temporary roundabout at a Perthshire junction on the A9.

They will look at the proposal at Dunkeld as part of dualling consultations with the local community later this year.

Retired energy and construction lawyer Hamish Carlton of Little Dunkeld, part of the community group concerned with the proposed dualling of the A9 from the pass of Birnam to the Jubilee Bridge, has been pressing for the measure as a matter of urgency on safety grounds.

“When the A9 overbridge at Ballinluig was being constructed, a simple roundabout of red and white bollards, with a 40mph speed limit, was put in place – low cost, simple, and effective – with no recorded fatalities, serious accidents or traffic delays,” he said.

“The same could easily and quickly be put in place at the Dunkeld junction.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The safety performance of the entire trunk road network, including the A9, is reviewed on an annual basis to target improvements where they are needed most to support effectively the delivery of the Scottish Government’s 2020 casualty reduction targets.

“While this junction was not identified for further investigation within this financial year, we will continue to monitor road safety at this location.

“Transport Scotland has agreed to work with the local community … to consider route options for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing project.

“This is expected to start in the autumn and we understand a roundabout has been asked for by members of the community and will be considered as part of that process.”