Introduction

Overview

This report presents the findings of a combined Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) and Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSDA) of the proposed dualling of the A9 between the Pass of Birnam and Tay Crossing, hereafter referred to as ‘the proposed scheme’. The proposed scheme is a project within the A9 Dualling programme of works between Perth and Inverness. Further information on the A9 Dualling Programme is available on the official Transport Scotland website (Transport Scotland, 2025a) and the A9 Dualling website (Transport Scotland 2025b).

The proposed scheme as reported in this assessment has been developed to Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) ‘Stage 3’ level of design and is accompanied by various social and environmental impact assessments, including this EqIA and FSDA, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA). Assessments undertaken prior to Stage 3 for the proposed scheme include a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), a Habitats Regulation Appraisal and a Wellbeing Assessment (as part of the Stage 2 Environmental Assessment).

The following appendices support this report and are cross referenced where relevant:

  • Appendix A (Screening)
  • Appendix B (Forum Members)

Background and Need for the Proposed Scheme

The A9 Dualling programme was founded in the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) in December 2011 (Scottish Government, 2011) which included the commitment to upgrade the A9 trunk road to dual carriageway between Perth and Inverness. The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) (Transport Scotland, 2008) identified specific trunk road interventions, including upgrading the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness (Intervention 16) as a targeted infrastructure improvement, and, in particular, a requirement to dual the 129km stretch of the A9 between Perth and Inverness. The Scottish Government’s investment plans have continued to evolve since the IIP in December 2011, alongside which has been the on-going commitment to deliver the A9 dualling programme, with a revised delivery plan laid out by the Scottish Government in December 2023 (Transport Scotland, 2023).

The A9 trunk road forms a strategic link on Scotland’s transport network, between central Scotland and the north of Scotland. The A9 trunk road commences at Keir Roundabout, near Dunblane and stretches 399km to the north coast of Scotland at Thurso. From where the A9 meets the M9 at Dunblane to the Pass of Birnam, the A9 is currently dual carriageway, following the completion of the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section of the A9 Dualling programme in 2021. From the Pass of Birnam onwards, the road changes to predominantly single carriageway, interspersed with sections of dual carriageway and wide single 2+1 carriageway (sections of two lanes of travel in one direction and a single lane of traffic in the opposite direction).

The existing A9 is a vital link used by local and long-distance traffic. It is a major bus route and is used by freight traffic supporting key industries, such as food and drink, oil, energy, waste and construction. The route is also used by tourists as a means of reaching locations in Perthshire and the Highlands, which during the summer months and holiday periods when traffic volumes tend to be higher, has led to an increase in driver stress. The non-dualled sections of the A9 present a lack of safe overtaking opportunities, which has led to a number of serious accidents, including some fatalities. Additionally, when accidents do occur, there is a lack of alternative diversion routes which causes severe delays. It is considered that the dualling upgrade of the A9 would help assist economic growth in the north of Scotland (particularly for food and drink, tourism, energy, life sciences and forestry industries), improve journey times, reduce driver stress and increase safety (Transport Scotland, 2016a).

The objectives of the A9 Dualling Programme are as follows:

  • To improve the operational performance of the A9 by:
    • reducing journey times; and
    • improving journey time reliability.
  • To improve safety for motorised and non-motorised users by:
    • reducing accident severity; and
    • reducing driver stress.
  • To facilitate active travel within the corridor.
  • To improve integration with Public Transport Facilities.

Proposed Scheme Description

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 following features:

  • one grade separated junction with full movements at Dalguise;
  • one grade separated junction with restricted movements at Birnam;
  • one at-grade roundabout at Dunkeld;
  • three left-in left-out junctions providing maintenance access for Dunkeld & Birnam Station and Network Rail assets, access to The Hermitage, and access to Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) features and farmland at Dalguise;
  • one pedestrian underpass connecting Dunkeld & Birnam Station to the replacement car park in Birnam;
  • revisions to local access; and
  • upgrade to existing road drainage and treatment.

Purpose and Structure of this EqIA and FSDA Report

This report has been prepared to identify and address the proposed scheme’s potential impacts on different groups, including those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 (see Section 2). It has also actively considered how to reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage to demonstrate Transport Scotland’s due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and the Fairer Scotland Duty (FSD) (information regarding the legislation and policy underpinning the PSED and FSD is provided below in Section 2)

The sections within this report include:

  • Section 1: summarises the various impact assessments undertaken and background to the A9 Dualling Programme and A9 Dualling: Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing. Provides a description of the proposed scheme. Sets out the purpose and structure of this report.
  • Section 2: provides detail on the legislative context for this EqIA and FSDA.
  • Section 3: presents a baseline summary identifying the study area and the socio-economic background and protected characteristics groups that are present and relevant to the proposed scheme.
  • Section 4: describes the stakeholder engagement and consultation approach undertaken.
  • Section 5: describes the approach to this assessment.
  • Section 6: assesses the potential impacts identified for the proposed scheme.
  • Section 7: provides a conclusion summary and any action plan.
  • Section 8: provides references.

Appendix A in this report provides the Equality Impact and FSD screening undertaken prior to the assessment to establish which groups are relevant and which impacts are likely to occur as a result of the proposed scheme.