A9 Dualling Programme Strategic Environmental Assessment Non-Technical Summary
13. Near Offline Options Summary
Section A - Option A6
Discussion through the SEA demonstrates that Option A6 presents no significant advantages over the corresponding online corridor. In fact, there are a number of significant disadvantages including:
- Significant swathe cut required through Ancient and Semi Natural Ancient Woodland;
- Greater risk to local woodland species associated with increased fragmentation through the woodland areas;
- Potential for more significant impact on the River Tay (Dunkeld) NSA, associated with cutting through the woodland area;
- Significant impact through The Hermitage National Trust property and GDL; and
- Additional crossings required over the River Tay SAC in areas currently unaffected around The Hermitage GDL.
Therefore SEA recommends that Option A6 is not taken forward for further consideration as a viable alternative to the online corridor option.
Section B - Option B2
Discussion through the SEA demonstrates that Option B2 presents no significant advantages over the corresponding online corridor. In fact, there are a number of significant disadvantages including:
- Greater risks to Ancient and Semi Natural Ancient Woodland, in terms of introducing new edge clearance to woodland areas not affected by the current A9;
- Greater risk to local woodland species associated with impacts on woodland areas not affected by the current A9;
- Runs to the opposite side of the River Tay through the Tay floodplain; and
- Additional large crossing of the River Tay SAC required that would also present increased risks for the Shingle Islands SAC and SSSI.
Therefore SEA recommends that Option B2 is not taken forward for further consideration as a viable alternative to the online corridor option.
Section B - Option B4
Discussion through the SEA demonstrates that Option B4 presents only one potential advantage over the corresponding online corridor:
- Avoids dualling within the Killiecrankie Battlefield site.
SEA discussion demonstrates a number of significant disadvantages including:
- Swathe cuts required through Ancient and Semi Natural Ancient Woodland, including the Pass of Killiecrankie SSSI (which also includes wetland habitat);
- Greater risk to local woodland species associated with impacts on woodland areas not affected by the current A9;
- Potential for more significant impact on the Loch Tummel NSA, associated with cutting through the woodland areas, and more significant change through the Pass of Killiecrankie, specifically identified in the description of the Special Qualities of the NSA. Online dualling will also have some effect; however, as the road is already dualled on the entrance to the Pass, effects are considered less significant; and
- Introduces greater risks to the Tulach Hill and Glen Fender Meadows SAC, the Tulach Hill SSSI and requires additional crossings of the River Tay SAC through areas not affected by the current A9.
Following discussion with the A9 PES team, it is understood that the road geometry around Pitlochry is particularly challenging and that elements of Option B4 around Pitlochry may actually be more favourable than the online corridor in engineering terms.
Where this is the case, SEA recommends a modification to this alternative such that Option B4 ties back into the A9 before the existing dual carriageway on the approach to Killiecrankie.
This would avoid potential impacts on the Tulach Hill sites and the Pass of Killiecrankie SSSI; therefore, reducing the amount of important woodland and wetland potentially affected. Depending on the final alignment, there may still be a need to cross the River Tay SAC.
Therefore SEA recommends that, in its current form, Option B4 is not taken forward for further consideration as a viable alternative to the online corridor option; however, with suitable modifications in place, where Option B4 is significantly shortened and ties back into the A9 dual carriageway before Killiecrankie, it could provide a viable alternative to accommodate a solution around Pitlochry.
Section B - Option B5
Discussion through the SEA demonstrates that Option B5 presents some potential advantages over the corresponding online corridor:
- Potentially avoids effects on the Aldclune and Inverack Meadows SSSI, with corresponding benefits for the wetland habitat within;
- Potentially reduces local risks to the River Tay SAC;
- Increases the distance between the dualled A9 and the Blair Castle GDL boundary;
- Affects the same area of woodland as the online corridor (no significant advantage, but also no significant disadvantage); and
- Straightens 'events' (bends) in the road which may improve sight lines and safety.
SEA found no significant disadvantages when comparing Option B5 with the online corridor; therefore SEA recommends that Option B5 is taken forward for further consideration as a viable alternative to the online corridor option.