Benefits of the Preferred Route

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The Preferred Route meets the A9 Dualling Programme objectives as well as contributing towards the Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group’s objectives. We will continue to take into consideration these objectives throughout the DMRB Stage 3 design and environmental assessment. The reasons for the selected Preferred Route include:

Constructability

• Less construction complexity avoiding the need for significant piling works adjacent to residential properties and the Category A listed building Dunkeld & Birnam Railway Station.
• Shortest expected construction duration of approximately 2.5 to 3 years reducing direct and indirect construction impacts and effects on businesses and community assets.
• Less excavation and import of material required, therefore less construction vehicle movements and less expensive to construct.

Inchewan Burn

• Maintains the existing integrity of Inchewan Burn, allowing continued fish passage and habitat connectivity.

Biodiversity

• Lowest overall loss of habitat identified on the ancient woodland inventory.

Landscape

• Generally at-grade and closely aligned to the existing A9 retaining the existing landscape character.
• Lowest overall effect on the River Tay (Dunkeld) National Scenic Area (NSA) and its Special Qualities (e.g ‘Gateway to the Highlands’)
• Lowest overall effect on visual amenity and views from adjacent visual receptors unchanged.

Climate Change

• Lowest overall effect on material assets, waste and the climate as significantly less concrete and construction vehicle movements are required.

Public Transport and Active Travel

• Improves accessibility to Dunkeld & Birnam Railway Station.