The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Transport Scotland in A9 land grab operation
Plans to snap up more than 240 roadside sites in Highland Perthshire as dual carriageway project progresses
The Scottish Government has launched an exhaustive land grab bid to pave the way for the next stage of the £3 billion A9 dualling project.
Transport bosses are using compulsory purchase powers to snap up more than 240 roadside sites in Highland Perthshire.
Landowners will receive paperwork in the coming days, giving them the chance to raise any formal objections.
A public inquiry could be called to settle any disputes, if landowners refuse to sell up.
Huge swathes of woods, scrublands and, in some cases, private roads are needed for the 13-mile Killiecrankie to Glen Garry stretch.
An environmental statement has been published and proposals will go out to further consultation next month.
A hearing took place in June 2015 after objections to the Luncarty-Birnam phase.
Work was allowed to go ahead after an agreement was struck with main objector Network Rail.
A timescale for work will only be set once the CPOs are settled and the project is formally approved, but Transport Scotland insists that it is on target to meet the 2025 completion date.
The first section of dual carriageway, between Kincraig and Dalraddy, was opened in September.
Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, welcomed progress on the route.
“Our ambitious programme to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness will bring many benefits for road users, communities and businesses who live along or use this important route between central Scotland and the Highlands and Islands,” he said.
“The work is continuing across the route and road users are already benefiting from the new dualled stretch between Kincraig and Dalraddy.
“We expect to get work under way on the next section to be dualled between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam early next year.”
Mr Brown added: “At the same time, design work on the other sections to be dualled is well advanced and today marks a further significant milestone in our plans, with draft orders being published for a well-used 13-mile stretch of the road between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry.
“This is just the start as we expect to publish draft orders for further dualling projects in the coming months.”
Details will go on display at Killiecrankie Village Hall on Wednesday December 13 from 1pm to 7pm and at the village hall in Blair Atholl the following day.
Today marks a further significant milestone in our plans, with draft orders being published for a well-used 13-mile stretch of the road. KEITH BROWN