Meeting minutes - 1 April 2026 - A9 Safety Group

Attendees

  • Stuart Wilson – Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
  • Morag MacKay - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
  • Vince Tait - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
  • Graeme Paget - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
  • Jonny Moran – Transport Scotland – Infrastructure Projects
  • David McKenzie - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
  • Michelle Van der stighelen - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
  • Stuart Fraser - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations (Minutes)
  • Ch Insp Richard Ross – Police Scotland – North Command
  • Insp Neil Crozier – Police Scotland – TS Liaison
  • PC Neil Drummond – Police Scotland
  • Eric Dunion - Safety Cameras Scotland 
  • Martin Reid - Road Haulage Association
  • Daryl McKeown - Perth & Kinross Council
  • Sarah Stewart – Perth & Kinross Council
  • Kevin McKechnie – BEAR Scotland
  • Stuart Geddes – BEAR Scotland
  • Lisa Mackellaich – The Highland Council (TEAMS)
  • Alexandra Herdman – Logistics UK
  • Paul White – Confederation for Passenger Transport

Apologies

  • Michael McDonnell – Road Safety Scotland
  • Stewart Mackie – IAM Roadsmart
  • Insp Donnie MacKinnon – Police Scotland
  • Colin Simpson – Cairngorms National Park Authority
  • Michael Grant – Safety Cameras Scotland
  • Mike Duncan – Federation of Small Businesses
  • Rhianon Merritt – Prosper Scotland
  • Evan Ferguson - AMEY

Welcome and Introductions

Stuart Wilson welcomed those in attendance.

Update on safety performance

Richard Ross, Police Scotland:

Since last meeting took place on 5 November, 2 fatal collisions have been recorded on the A9. Both are subject to enquiry and full circumstances for these incidents are still under investigation

  • 10th November 2025 – south of Cromarty Bridge
  • 16th January 2026 - south of Drumochter

Fatal collision figures are 5 in 2025 and 1 so far this year.

Patrols are being implemented along with working with the safety camera teams and other partners to monitor and address areas of concern.

Highland behavioural change officers have been introduced and will work to support a change in behaviours of drivers.

Alongside existing actions, further work is being taken forward to promote visitor‑management initiatives and motorcycle‑safety programmes along the A9.

2192 vehicles stopped on the A9 leading to the following offences being detected: 7 drink driving, 27 drug driving, 15 dangerous driving and 139 speeding offences reported with a further 352 given warnings. 

Update on short term measures

Road Safety Scotland – Stuart Wilson

Stuart Wilson explained that the Road Safety Scotland budget for 2026/26 has been approved with the following campaigns planned for this year:

  • Young Drivers
  • Fitness to Drive
  • Vision Zero
  • Motorbikes
  • Drive on the Left
  • In-Car Child Safety

Kevin McKechine advised that all the Perth to Inverness short term measures were completed last year and that BEAR Scotland are investigating the merit or replicating those on some section north of Inverness.

The temporary Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be deployed to display road safety messages at the same seven locations between Perth and Inverness from Easter weekend until the end of October.

The group discussed whether messages to re-enforce the issues of drug driving and wider road safety could be incorporated into the VMS programme.

Route Updates

Kevin McKechnie – BEAR Scotland (NW)

Provided an update on some of the investigations and works delivered by BEAR Scotland:

  • A9 Sir Walter Scott Drive Junction, Inshes & Milton of Leys Junction – junction improvements including directional signing, marker posts and solar powered bollards installed in Autumn 2025;
  • A9 Drumochter duals NB – enhanced signing approaching the end of the dual carriageway. Now completed;
  • Speed camera relocation to A9 Dalguise junction – Signing and camera relocation has been completed. Awaiting SSE to provide a permanent mains power supply;
  • A9 Drumochter Duals SB Central Reserve – VRS installations to protect road users from hazards in the verge. Phase 1 & 2 completed. Phase 3 to progress in summer;
  • A9/A86 Kingussie Junction – ARSR site so a scheme being developed to improve the conspicuity and definition of the junction through enhanced directional signing, solar powered bollards and marker posts. Anticipated construction May/June 26; and,
  • A9 Dalnaspidal junction – ARSR site with a package of measures under design for implementation this FY.
  • A9/A835 Tore Roundabout. Proposed speed limit reduction to 40mph at circulatory and approaches. Speed limit proposals advertised with some objections received. Further options to improve facilities for NMUs being developed. Consideration of traffic signals to be installed;
  • A9 Skiach Junction. Installation of new passively safe street lighting system – now completed;
  • A9 North Kessock Junction - junction improvements including directional signing, marker posts and solar powered bollards;
  • A9 Trinafour junction video survey undertaken to identify occurrences of any vehicles travelling the wrong-way along the A9. Report prepared and identified several incidents involving vehicles travelling south from junction onto A9 NB carriageway.

Updates from group members

The Highlands Council – Lisa Mackellaich

9 junction improvements from sign clearing, vegetation clearance and lining of junctions.

4 behavioural change officers introduced over last 12 months. These roles are being used to encourage alternative methods of travel, attending schools to deliver presentations and working on various approaches. Further details can be provided if needed.

Culbokie up to Tain is the planned next stretch to be improved.

Currently promoting speed limits to abut the Torre roundabout. Public consultation for those go live this Friday (April 3rd).

Working with Police Scotland on A9 safety meetings throughout the summer months.

RHA – Martin Reid

RHA advised that the legislation to change the HGV speed limit on single carriageways is likely to come into effect at the end of 2026 or start of 2027. David McKenzie asked about speed limit trial signage if HGV limit’s change. Kevin McKenchine suggested that signs may have to be removed, so this will need to be programmed as a possible action for Q4 this year.

Transport Scotland – Michelle Van der Stighelen

Advised that a trial of driver distraction cameras was ongoing to assess the scale of the problem regarding non seatbelt wearing and use of hand held devices. She mentioned that so far a large number of drivers of HGVs and vans had been observed not wearing seatbelts. Martin Reid asked about information of HGV’s and Van’s to understand breakdown of any concerns from the distraction survey. Michelle advised that granular details will be available at the end of the survey but offered to catch up separately with Martin.

Police Scotland – Eric Dunion

Safety Cameras are ongoing priority. Most relevant work at the moments is around communications and updates. Currently have the TASCAR system on A9, information provided in the tourist guide in Pitlochry. New drivers handbook handed out by DVSA has a 2 page spread.

National campaign from last year has been able to run for another couple of months, so was able to have advertisements running on busses in the north.

Attending community and public events with road policing to continue to raise awareness of road safety.

TASCAR currently in place between Tomatin to Moy. Low level of offending although this has increased in last few weeks, so more comms are being issued to continue to raise awareness.

Ballinluig to Tay crossing – temporary enforcement with vans until cameras are live. 

Transport Scotland – Network Maintenance - Graeme Paget

Challenges to deliver maintenance of existing sections of the A9 at the same time as works taking place. Tay crossing to Ballinluig - contractor has to create around 26 access entrances – potential risk for members of public thinking this is for them. Also highlighted that there is a change in responsibility between OC’s and TS depending on the stage of works.

A9 Dualling update

Jonny Moran summarised the activity:

  • Preparation continues for the launch of the A9 Dualling Framework via a contract notice after the election, with programme for award by the end of 2026.
  • The framework sets out the approach for the delivery of the five remaining dualling projects that have not yet started procurement.
  • The programme sets out that the first of the five projects to commence procurement under the Framework will be the Dalraddy to Slochd section, with it’s procurement commencing in early 2027 (as set out in the 2026 Delivery Plan - A9 Dualling Delivery Plan Update).
  • Tomatin to Moy and Tay Crossing to Ballinluig are on site. Pitlochry to Killiecrankie programmed for award later this year
  • TM working Group - Next meeting in 19 May (TS offices and Teams option)

Stuart Wilson noted that there are potentially 3 different points of disruption as part of some journeys for drivers. Jonny Moran acknowledged this and highlighted that this is being considered when works are taking place, to ensure as smooth a journey as possible.

Next TM group is anticipated to take place in May 2026. Date to be confirmed.

AOB

Stuart Wilson asked about the opinion of those in the group to understand preferences of how meetings are structured going forward – in person, hybrid or on Teams. This will be considered between now and the next meeting, currently planned for October 2026.

Actions arising

TS to enquire about enhanced road safety messaging on permanent VMS in particular regarding drug driving.

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Published Date 17 May 2026 Type Mode of transport Topic