[Letter received by Strathdean Community Council from from Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition:
Mairi McAllan MSP
T: 0300 244 4000
E: scottish.ministers@gov.scot]
20 December 2023
As you may be aware, today I set out to Parliament our delivery plan for completing dualling works between Perth and Inverness by the end of 2035.
The A9 is a vital route for your communities and I recognise that this announcement is, of course, something you’ve waited for and been keen to hear. I appreciate your patience and understanding whilst we’ve undertaken the work necessary to develop this delivery plan.
As you are aware, it is a significant undertaking to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness. It requires careful, in-depth design and planning to ensure that we deliver the right projects and minimise impacts on the environment. It is also essential that we follow due process, which rightly includes the opportunity for local communities to give their important input and have any objections resolved appropriately.
We have chosen to adopt a “hybrid” approach to delivering the dualling of the remaining sections of the A9. This means that we will progress the three remaining southern projects using individual design and build contracts. We anticipate progressing the five remaining projects in the North and Central stretches via two Mutual Investment Model public-private partnership contracts, subject to ongoing due diligence and further decision making in late 2025, including an updated assessment of expected market conditions. The Tomatin to Moy project, which is currently in procurement, will continue its planned progress as a design and build contract.
Following the announcement of this delivery plan, comprehensive stakeholder engagement will begin early in the new year, building on the extensive engagement already undertaken. Regular engagement will continue as A9 Dualling progresses, including with local communities on individual projects. I hope that you will be able to participate in these events and my officials will ensure that details of these are widely publicised.
In the meantime, you may wish to note that additional information on the programme has now been published on Transport Scotland’s website and there is an opportunity to register for email updates at www.a9dualling.scot prior to the full launch of a new A9 Dualling website early in the new year.
The Government has today restated its firm commitment to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness and set out a clear delivery plan to achieve that ambition. I can assure the communities that rely on the road and their representatives that there will be no let up. When construction starts on Tomatin to Moy next year, under this delivery plan it will roll continually until the route between Perth and Inverness is fully dualled.
Thank you for your continued interest in A9 Dualling.
Yours sincerely
MAIRI MCALLAN
