Preferred option for Nairn Bypass selected
As part of the Scottish Government’s ambitious programme to dual the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen by 2030, the preferred option for the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme went on public display.
Design and assessment work of initial alternative options has been informed by valuable community feedback following public exhibitions in November last year.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
“We have ambitious plans to dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030, delivering around 142km of upgraded road.
“As part of that programme, we have been taking forward route option assessment work for dualling the 30km section between Inverness and Nairn including a Nairn Bypass.
“Following detailed assessment work and feedback from last year’s public exhibitions, we are now able to let the public see the preferred option for this scheme.
“We are keen to let locals and road users have their say and I would encourage anyone interested in our plans to come to the exhibitions and offer any comments.
“We are committed to delivering the scheme as quickly as possible and are currently progressing the procurement of a design consultant to develop the plans further. We expect to appoint a consultant early next year with a view to publishing draft orders for this £30 million contract scheme in 2016.”
As the scheme is progressed individuals, communities and businesses affected by the work will be kept fully informed and their vital feedback taken into account.
1. Details of public exhibitions:
• Friday 3 October 2014 – 12 noon – 7pm – Nairn Community and Arts Centre, King Street, Nairn IV12 4BQ
• Monday 6 October 2014 – 12 noon – 7 pm – Dunbar Memorial Hall, High Street, Auldearn IV12 5TG
• Tuesday 7 October 2014 – 12 noon – 7 pm – Raigmore Community Centre, 125 Ashton Road, Inverness IV2 3UY
Copies of the exhibition material including the preferred option and further details of the scheme can be found at: www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/a96-inverness-nairn-including-nairn-bypass
2. The Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme – The preferred option
The new 30 km dual carriageway scheme can be divided into two sections: Inverness to Gollanfield and Nairn Bypass. For the route option assessment process, eight options were considered for the Inverness to Gollanfield section and nine for the Nairn Bypass.
Inverness to Gollanfield
The preferred option for this section is Option 1C (MV) and includes:
• 15 km dual carriageway
• Four grade separated junctions at Smithton, Newton, Mid Coul and Brackley
• No other direct/local accesses onto the new trunk road
• Local road alterations
• Major utility pipeline diversions
Nairn Bypass
The preferred option for this section is Option 2E and includes:
• 15 km dual carriageway
• Two grade separated junctions at Nairn West and Nairn East
• No other direct/local accesses onto the new trunk road
• Local road alterations
• Approximately 200m River Nairn crossing
• Two mainline railway crossings
• Major utility pipeline and overhead powerline diversions
Any comments on the preferred option should be sent to the following address by 28 November 2014: A96 Dualling Team, Transport Scotland, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF.
E-mail: a96dualling@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk