The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
First motorists make their way down dualled A9 road
Transport: Stretch opens but business owner complains over lack of signs
A major milestone has been reached in the first section of the A9 dualling scheme – with motorists driving on new tarmac for the first time.
A section stretching for nearly 2.5 miles opened for the first time at 5.30 am yesterday on the Kincraig to Dalraddy dualling project.
The newly constructed carriageway coming into use allows work to beginon upgrading the existing carriageway.
Butone local business hit out after a lack of signs warning motorists of the change resulted in a near miss on the A9.
Leault Working Sheep Dogs urge motorists to cross the trunk road from the B9152 Kincraig to Kingussie road, rather than turning directly off the A9.
Glynis Ross, who runs the business with her husband Neil, said the works had caused “pandemonium” and resulted in a loss of trade for their attraction, which puts on sheepdog shows for tourists.
Signs were put up yesterday lunchtime warning drivers of the change in the traffic arrangements, but not until a motorist had what Mrs Ross described as a “near miss”.
She added their daily 4pm show yesterday was a “disaster” with visitors arriving complaining about the road crossing arrangements.
Mrs Ross said: “It should all have been sorted. It’s just another thing that hasn’t happened in theway it was supposed to.
“It doesn’t sit well that we are telling people how to get here and we could be putting people at risk.
Hailing the first use of the newly dualled section, Keith Brown MSP, cabinet secretary for economy, jobs & fair work said: “As one of Scotland’s largest and most challenging infrastructure projects, I welcome this important milestone in our A9 dualling programme, with the first stretch of new road in the programme between Kincraig and Dalraddy now in use.”
Transport Scotland have warned drivers should be aware that further changes to the road layout will be made over the coming weeks, andare reminded to approach this section of road with care as the changes come into effect.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Temporary traffic management layouts required for major roadworks are designed to comply with the accepted national standard for roadworks and with input from consultees.
“As with all traffic management schemes, the revised layout is monitored regularly and it is not uncommon for adjustments to be made upon implementation of such schemes. We understand that some signs installed as part of this layout were repositioned in the morning to improve visibility at the junction between the new A9 and the access track from the B9152.”