Work starts on new £3.8m Gleneagles link road

On completion this new road is expected to bring significant road safety benefits and enhance the station's use as a Strathearn transport hub by providing an easier link for buses and local traffic

The new road, is being funded by Perth & Kinross Council, the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland and TACTRAN.

Work started on 11 November and is being undertaken by Whitemountain Quarries Ltd. It will be completed ahead of the Ryder Cup, ensuring the station can be a fully functional transport hub during the prestigious golf event thus encouraging greater use of rail services.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

“Scotland will be propelled to a truly international audience during Our Year of Homecoming in 2014, with spectators in tens of thousands and audiences in their millions watching the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games.

“It is only right we offer a worthy welcome to our visitors including an attractive transport network with sufficient capacity. With the ongoing station upgrades announced earlier this year and extra spaces, spectators can relax in the knowledge we will get them to the event in comfort and on time.

“It is only fitting therefore that access to and from the station is as simple and safe as possible – this new link road will help provide this. Ultimately, these improvements will encourage event goers to enjoy the benefits of train travel now while leaving a lasting legacy for future passengers that encourages future use of Gleneagles station.”

Councillor Ian Miller, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said:

“Securing safer road access to Gleneagles has been a long-held ambition for the Council and I’m delighted that our partners have joined us and contributed to the funding needed to bring this project to fruition. This is one of a wide range of projects and events we are delivering across our area during 2014, building a legacy of active, involved communities with thriving economies and improved infrastructure.”

The works include the construction of a kilometre of new road, the extension of the existing car park, and the provision of a sustainable urban drainage system. The improvements to the southbound A9 diverge slip road will include carriageway widening, realignment of existing diverge slip road and enlargement of the existing Loaninghead Junction roundabout.

Councillor Will Dawson, Chair of Tactran said :

“Tactran has worked closely with Perth & Kinross Council, Transport Scotland, First ScotRail and Network Rail to secure delivery of this major enhancement of station facilities at Gleneagles. Through ongoing partnership working on our Tay Estuary Rail Strategy we aim to build on these infrastructure improvements and ensure lasting legacy benefits for the local community and visitors to the region”.

Mark Kelly, Managing Director of Whitemountain Quarries Ltd, said:

“Whitemountain are privileged to be involved in the delivery of this key project and look forward to working with Perth & Kinross Council and its project partners in order to deliver the works to a high standard and with minimal disruption to the general public.”

Peter Marriott, project manager for CH2M HILL, commissioned to undertake the feasibility and design of the Gleneagles Station Link Road, said

“CH2M HILL have worked closely with the Council’s delivery team and the other stakeholders to develop the most suitable route for the link road, looking to minimise the environmental impact on local residents, existing users, agriculture and the natural and built heritage. CH2M HILL are delighted to have been able to work on a project that will deliver a significant benefit and legacy to the community.”