Introduction
Preface
This document is the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the A9 Dualling: Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing. The project is proposed by Transport Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government.
A copy of this Environmental Impact Assessment Report may be inspected, free of charge, during normal opening hours from 30 May 2025 to 25 July 2025 at:
- Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0DS
- Transport Scotland, 177 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 7ER
Please note that normal opening hours may vary during this period.
The EIAR (including NTS) and draft Orders may be viewed online on the Transport Scotland website:
Any person wishing to make any representations about the project and the EIAR should write to the Director of Major Projects, Transport Scotland, 177 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 7ER. Representations must be received on or before 25 July 2025.
Background
The A9 Trunk Road forms a strategic link on Scotland’s Transport Network, linking the Scottish Highlands and Central Scotland, and is vital to supporting the growth and development of the economy in the north of Scotland.
A Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) in 2009 set out the future investment programme for transport in Scotland over two decades, including the proposed upgrade of the A9. Following this review, the Scottish Government’s 2011 Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) included the commitment to upgrade the A9 to dual carriageway standard between Perth and Inverness. The programme required to achieve this was subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) (Transport Scotland, 2013) from 2012 to 2014 to consider the overall constraints, environmental sensitivities and opportunities for enhancement.
The Delivery Plan (Transport Scotland, 2023a) for completion of the A9 Dualling programme was announced by the then Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition on 20 December 2023, and involves a rolling programme of construction leading to the progressive opening of dualled sections. It is expected that nearly 50% of the A9 between Perth and Inverness will be open as dual carriageway by the end of 2030, rising to 85% by the end of 2033 and 100% by the end of 2035.
The Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the A9 Dualling Programme, hereafter referred to as ‘the proposed scheme’, comprises dualling of approximately 8.4 km of the A9, tying into the existing dual carriageway to the south (the previously completed Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section of the A9 Dualling programme) and the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig section to the north. The dualling of this section of the A9 will be achieved through a combination of widening and upgrades to the existing A9 carriageway and incorporates the grade separated Birnam Junction, an at-grade roundabout providing the Dunkeld Junction and a grade separated junction at Dalguise. Access to the Hermitage is provided by a left-in left-out junction and access to Dunkeld & Birnam Station is provided through a new connection at Birnam from Station Road, incorporating a replacement car park and a pedestrian underpass.
Subject to completion of the necessary statutory process for the proposed scheme, it is anticipated that main construction works would take approximately 3 to 4 years (37 months construction works) to complete.
Environmental Impact Assessment
The purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment is to investigate and report in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) the likely significant effects of the proposed scheme on the biological, physical and historical environment, as well as on the climate, members of the public and on current or planned future use of the environment. The assessment is undertaken in accordance with The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) guidance (National Highways et al, 2025).
This NTS presents a summary of the EIAR, including key aspects of the proposed scheme and the associated beneficial and adverse impacts considered to be of particular importance in determining whether the proposed scheme can be consented under The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as amended by the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.
Further details about the likely significant effects of the proposed scheme can be found within the full text of the EIAR. The EIAR documents have been subdivided into this NTS and three further volumes for ease of use:
- Non-Technical Summary (NTS);
- Volume 1: Main Report;
- Volume 2: Appendices (Specialist Technical Reports); and
- Volume 3: Figures.
The EIA process provides a valuable opportunity to reduce potential environmental impacts and effects through design refinement. Environmental constraints and issues were identified through consultation with landowners, statutory consultees and other stakeholders, environmental surveys and technical assessments. This has informed decision-making throughout the design process, providing opportunities to address potentially significant effects where practicable, e.g. by refining the proposed scheme design or incorporating measures to avoid or reduce potential adverse environmental effects. Effects have been assessed by comparing the existing situation (the baseline conditions) to the conditions that would occur with the proposed scheme in place.