Appendix A - Screening

Age:

Is it likely to affect people on the grounds of their age?

Yes

Yes

Not applicable

The overall population of the study area is older than average for Scotland, with 27% of the population aged over 65 years, compared to the national average of 20% (Scotland’s Census, 2022a).

The construction of the proposed scheme could have an impact on drivers, local communities and those accessing facilities through changes in accessibility or severance for those accessing education, jobs, essential services, and social networks (Marmot et al, 2024). Those who are more vulnerable to changes in access – such as children, older people, disabled people, or people travelling with young children or whilst pregnant, are more likely to be affected by the changes in access presented during construction of the proposed scheme.

The construction and operation of the proposed scheme could have an impact on noise and air quality. Vulnerable groups are more sensitive to such changes, specifically older people, children, disabled people and those with health conditions. The EIAR assessed potential adverse and beneficial changes to noise levels, accessibility and health as a result of the construction and/or operation of the proposed scheme (WHO, 2024). These potential impacts may have disproportionate or differential effects on equality groups including children, older people, disabled people, and people who are pregnant, especially on those living in deprived areas.

During operation, the proposed scheme would provide new grade separated crossing points of the A9 for WCH which would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly for those most vulnerable to road accidents (Transport Scotland, 2024) – such as children, older people, disabled people, people who are pregnant, or people travelling with young children

In addition, the proposed scheme will provide a new pedestrian underpass to access Dunkeld & Birnam Station which would include stairs and lifts and be fully accessible for walkers, wheelers and cyclists. Currently, the access from Birnam Glen to the station itself involves steps and is not suitable for users of wheelchairs and would be inconvenient or more difficult for pushchair users and people with mobility issues though Network Rail are progressing proposals for step free access to both platforms of the station.

Disability:

Is it likely to affect disabled people?

Yes

Yes

Not applicable

Pregnancy and maternity:

Is it likely to impact people on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity?

Yes

Yes

Not applicable

Sexual orientation:

Is it likely to impact on people on the grounds of their sexual orientation?

Not applicable

Not applicable

Yes

The majority of people in the intermediate zone of Luncarty and Dunkeld are reported to be heterosexual (88.9%). The other categories were ‘not answered’ (8.6%), gay or lesbian (1.0%), bisexual (1.0%) and ‘other sexual orientation’ (0.3%) (Scotland’s Census, 2022f).

The consultation aimed to engage as wide a cross section of people as possible, reaching out to a range of different stakeholders (see Section 5).

The area is considered relatively safe, with the S01012007 and S01012008 data zones crime ranking within the 40% and 10% lowest in Scotland respectively (Scottish Government, 2020) and the Perth and Kinross local authority area having a hate crime rate (8 per 10,000) that is lower than the national average (11 per 10,000) (Scottish Government, 2024). However, consideration should still be given to how fears of violence associated with public transport can affect people because of their sexual orientation. Based on the evidence above, the proposed scheme is unlikely to result in disproportionate or differential issues for this protected characteristic group.

Gender reassignment:

Is it likely to affect people who have undergone, intend to undergo or are currently undergoing gender reassignment, or those who do not intend to undergo medical treatment but wish to live in a different gender from their gender at birth, differently or disproportionately?

Not applicable

Not applicable

Yes

According to the 2022 census, the majority of people in the intermediate zone of Luncarty and Dunkeld are self-categorised as ‘Not trans and does not have a trans history’ (93.2%), ‘Not answered’ (6.6%) and ‘Trans or has a trans history’ (0.2%) (Scotland’s Census, 2022g).

The consultation aimed to engage as wide a cross section of people as possible, reaching out to a range of different stakeholders (see Section 5).

The area is considered relatively safe, with the S01012007 and S01012008 data zones crime ranking within the 40% and 10% lowest in Scotland respectively (Scottish Government, 2020) and the Perth and Kinross local authority area having a hate crime rate (8 per 10,000) that is lower than the national average (11 per 10,000) (Scottish Government, 2024). However, consideration should still be given to how fears of violence associated with public transport can affect people because of their gender identity. Based on the evidence above, the proposed scheme is unlikely to result in disproportionate or differential issues for this protected characteristic group.

Race:

Is it likely to affect people on the grounds of their race?

Not applicable

Not applicable

Yes

According to the 2022 census, the majority of people in the study area are white (97.0%). The second highest category is Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British (1.5%), with the third highest category is Mixed or multiple ethnic group (1.0%) (Scotland’s Census, 2022f).

During construction, consideration of how temporary disruption that could result in severance can disproportionately impact ethnic minorities should be given (Jones et al, 2015). According to Chapter 16 – Land use of the EIAR, there are no anticipated severance effects associated with community assets.

The consultation aimed to engage as wide a cross section of people as possible, reaching out to a range of different stakeholders (see Section 5).

The area is considered relatively safe, with the S01012007 and S01012008 data zones crime ranking within the 40% and 10% lowest in Scotland respectively (Scottish Government, 2020) and the Perth and Kinross local authority area having a hate crime rate (8 per 10,000) that is lower than the national average (11 per 10,000) (Scottish Government, 2024). However, consideration should still be given to how fears of violence associated with public transport can affect people because of their race or ethnicity. Based on the evidence above, the proposed scheme is unlikely to result in disproportionate or differential issues for this protected characteristic group.

Religion:

Is it likely to affect people on the grounds of their religion or belief?

Not applicable

Not applicable

Yes

According to the 2022 census, the majority of people in the study area are not religious (54.3%). The second highest category is Christian (36.1%), with the third highest category ‘religion not stated’ (7.8%) (Scotland’s Census, 2022e).

The consultation aimed to engage as wide a cross section of people as possible, reaching out to a range of different stakeholders (see Section 5).

The Birchwood House Roman Catholic Church, St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Little Dunkeld Church and Dunkeld Cathedral places of worship lie within the study area, however, there are no anticipated impacts regarding access of these facilities according to Chapter 16 – Land use of the EIAR.

The area is considered relatively safe, with the S01012007 and S01012008 data zones crime ranking within the 40% and 10% lowest in Scotland respectively (Scottish Government, 2020) and the Perth and Kinross local authority area having a hate crime rate (8 per 10,000) that is lower than the national average (11 per 10,000) (Scottish Government, 2024). However, consideration should still be given to how fears of violence associated with public transport can affect people because of their religion or religious beliefs. Based on the evidence above, the proposed scheme is unlikely to result in disproportionate or differential issues for this protected characteristic group.

Sex:

Consider whether it is likely to impact on men and women in different ways?

Yes

No

Not applicable

It is widely recognised that women are often constrained by barriers that impact the way they travel, such as caring responsibilities, safety concerns around inadequate infrastructure i.e. lack of separation between paths/cycleways and roads and fear of violence or harassment with public transport (Scottish Women’s Budget Group, 2023). Although the area is considered relatively safe, with the S01012007 and S01012008 data zones crime ranking within the 40% and 10% lowest in Scotland respectively (Scottish Government, 2020) and the Perth and Kinross local authority area having a hate crime rate (8 per 10,000) that is lower than the national average (11 per 10,000) (Scottish Government, 2024), consideration should still be given to how fears of violence associated with public transport can affect people because of their sex.

Women living in rural areas typically have higher car dependence due to public transport being less reliable than in cities. The A9 Dualling Programme aims to improve travel times which could allow women who are also carers more time for self-care and rest.

The proposed scheme also aims to facilitate active travel within the corridor and improve integration with public transport facilities. The introduction of improved infrastructure, such as the provision of a new pedestrian underpass to access Dunkeld & Birnam Station with stair free access and grade separated crossings, could encourage more women to walk, cycle or wheel.

Fairer Scotland Duty:

Consider whether those at a socio-economic disadvantage (low income, low wealth, material deprivation and area deprivation – with socio-economic background, communities of interest and communities of place also considered) would be affected differently or disproportionately when compared with others.

Yes

Yes

Not applicable

The area is not considered to be income deprived, with the S01012007 and S01012008 data zones ranking within the 40% and 30% least income deprived in Scotland respectively (Scottish Government, 2020). However, the area is considered to be access deprived according to the SIMD ranking, which considers factors like distance to essential services (e.g., healthcare, shopping, public transport) and the availability of those services. The S01012007 and S01012008 data zones rank within the 40% and 20% most access deprived in Scotland respectively. According to Chapter 16 - Land use of the EIAR, there are no anticipated severance effects associated with community assets during construction. However, there will be temporary disruption associated with construction of the proposed scheme.

During construction, there is likely to be a mixed indirect socio-economic impact, with the potential impact on businesses dependant on their type, sensitivity to construction impacts and their ability to adapt their business during the construction period. For example, it is expected that some businesses would not be able to adapt and would be impacted through disturbance (noise and vibration, air quality emissions, landscape and visual). Other businesses would have the opportunity to adapt their business and customer profile to take advantage of increased demand from construction workers for catering and accommodation in the area. According to Chapter 16 – Land use of the EIAR, the impact is likely to be beneficial overall.

In the long term, the proposed scheme would provide safer access to Dunkeld, Birnam and Inver, encouraging travellers to visit amenities and businesses within the communities. This could result in an increase in visitor numbers and a potential boost to the local economy. For example, improved connectivity of Dunkeld & Birnam Station with Station Road would provide better connection to public transport links and may further enhance the economy of the area.

In rural areas, car travel is viewed as the most viable option due to lack of public transport, lower reliability and increased time required to travel by public transport, or public transport costing more than driving. This can result in ‘forced car ownership’, resulting in some households stretching their budgets to retain a car (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, 2021). This can also disproportionately impact those who face barriers to car access, such as disabled people, older people and those who are unemployed. Improved connectivity of Dunkeld & Birnam Station would provide better connection to public transport links for those who are more reliant on public transport. .