Conclusions and action plan

General

Purpose

To ensure that members of the public are kept informed on the progress of the proposed scheme and to efficiently address any queries or concerns raised.

Description

Throughout the construction period the Contractor will, as required, contribute towards the overall communications strategy for the A9 Dualling Programme.

As part of this the Contractor will appoint a Community Liaison Officer supported by a liaison team as necessary who will:

§ liaise with the following: relevant local authorities; other statutory bodies and regulatory authorities; community councils and relevant community groups; and businesses and residents in local communities affected by the construction works;

§ notify occupiers of nearby properties a minimum of two weeks in advance of the nature and anticipated duration of planned construction works that may affect them;

§ support the production of project communications such as the project website and newsletters; and

§ establish a dedicated Freephone telephone helpline together with a dedicated email address and postal address for enquiries and complaints during the construction phase. The relevant contact numbers, email and postal addresses will as a minimum be displayed on signs around the construction site and will be published on the project website. Enquiries and complaints will be logged in a register and appropriate action will be taken in response to any complaints.

SMC-S3

Pre-construction and ongoing during construction

Contractor

Noise disturbance

A scheme of noise and vibration monitoring will be agreed with the Environmental Health Officer of Perth and Kinross Council, and noise and vibration limits will be contained within the Construction Environmental Management Plan. The Contractor will be required to develop and implement a Noise and Vibration Management Plan to meet these requirements.

Best Practicable Means will be used to limit the level of noise to which operators and others in the vicinity of site operations would be exposed. Additionally, Perth and Kinross Council will be consulted regarding any proposed working outside of normal working hours.

To reduce the noise levels at Ringwood Cottage, Rowan Cottage, Willow Tree Cottage and Oak Tree Cottage, a 2.0m high, 100m long reflective barrier will be erected along the northbound side of the proposed scheme.

Where, following application of proposed mitigation and any Section 61 consents under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, noise levels are expected to still exceed the trigger levels defined in Annex E.4 of BS 5228-1 and any Section 61 consents under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, a scheme for the installation of noise insulation or the reasonable costs thereof, or a scheme to facilitate temporary rehousing of occupants, as appropriate, shall be implemented.

SMC-NV1 to NV2

P02-NV03

Construction

Contractor

Road safety during construction

Road works may impair the safety and free movement of vehicles and WCH (particularly vulnerable users). All reasonable steps should be taken to ensure that the effects of the works are reduced to a minimum and the Contractor will produce a traffic management plan that will include measures to avoid or reduce disruption to the road traffic in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual. For example:

§ the length of diversion routes should be reviewed and advance signing of diversion routes provided;

§ consideration of the safety implications of temporary surfaces, obstructions, ramps, diversions etc.;

§ standard of surface/gradients/lighting;

§ adequacy of lane widths;

§ adequacy of crossing facilities for pedestrians;

§ the needs of children, particularly if schools or play areas etc. are nearby;

§ the impact on bus stop locations and access to bus stops;

§ closing off of unsafe access across works; and

§ arrangements for those with restricted mobility and other special needs.

The plan will include consideration of the timing of works and the location of haul roads to reduce site traffic on the public roads.

Road diversions will be clearly indicated with road markings and signage as appropriate. The Contractor will also be responsible for identifying any notable changes in patterns of road network use during construction, where such changes may cause significant disruption elsewhere (such as drivers re-routing away from the A9), and will review and update traffic management provisions as appropriate in discussion with Transport Scotland.

SMC-AT2

SMC-AT4

SMC-AT6

Pre-construction and ongoing during construction

Contractor

WCH disruption – Severance and diversions during construction

The construction programme will minimise the length of closures or restrictions of access for WCH as far as reasonably practicable.

Where practicable, temporary diversion routes and/or assisted crossings will be provided to maintain safe access for WCH throughout the construction works. Any closure or re-routing of routes used by WCH would take cognisance of the ‘Roads for All: Good Practice Guides for Roads’ (Transport Scotland, 2013). These will be agreed in advance with the relevant local authorities and will be clearly indicated with signage as appropriate.

In consultation with the relevant Roads Authority and public transport provider, bus stops affected by the works will be relocated safely with a safe access route provided for WCH.

Access for WCH will be maintained and improved in accordance with the following principles:

§ The requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and ‘Roads for All: Good Practice Guides for Roads’ (Transport Scotland, 2013) shall be incorporated into the proposed scheme wherever practicable, e.g. any bridges, ramps or footpaths will not present potential barriers to disabled people such as the gradient or surfacing.

§ WCH access shall be provided in accordance with the objectives set out in the A9 Dualling WCH Access Strategy (Transport Scotland, 2016b).

§ Surfacing of any new paths including alongside roads will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as safety, the type of user and should comply with current standards.

§ Safety of paths will be considered in accordance with the outcome of the Road Restraints Risk Assessment Process and may require provision of barriers.

§ New cycleways/footpaths will use non-frost susceptible materials to reduce risk of degradation.

SMC-AT1

SMC-AT2

SMC-AT3

SMC-AT8

Ongoing during construction

Contractor

Overnight closure of Birnam Glen Road during construction

The appointed contractor will develop proposals to ensure access to properties at Birnam Glen is provided during construction of Birnam Glen and Inchewan Burn Bridge. Where temporary overnight closures are required to facilitate removal of existing structures and installation of new structures appropriate notification will be given to affected residents. Where practicable, temporary closures will happen on single nights rather than consecutively. During temporary overnight closures the appointed contractor will liaise with emergency services and agree appropriate access arrangements to Birnam Glen for emergency services.

P02-LU19

Ongoing during construction

Contractor

Disturbance of local businesses during construction

Use of best practice standard and specific mitigation measures, such as those outlined in Chapter 8: Air Quality, Chapter 10: Landscape, Chapter 11: Visual, Chapter 15: Noise and Vibration, Chapter 16: Population – Land Use and Chapter 17: Population – Accessibility of the EIAR.

SMC-S1 to S4

SMC-AQ1 to AQ2

P02-AQ1 to AQ11

SMC-LV1 to LV4 and SMC-LV6 to LV7

SMC-NV1 to NV2

P02-NV01 to NV02

SMC-LU1 to LU4

SMC-AT1 to AT8

P02-AT9 to AT14

Ongoing during construction

Contractor