Appendix G - Feedback comments and responses

General Intro

I am writing to thank you for the feedback you provided following the Aviemore to Carrbridge User (ACNMU) Route Public and Virtual Engagement events held on 5^th June and 20^th June 2024.

Your comments have been registered and these will be considered as we look to progress the detailed design of the route.

Please see a response to any comments made to your feedback below.

General Conclusion

Please note that information relating to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Route, including materials presented at the exhibition events continue to be available at the following link: https://www.transport.gov.scot/ACNMU

Thank you again for taking time to provide feedback on the proposals presented at the exhibition events.

Should you require any further information on the project, please do not hesitate to contact our design consultants; AMJV at ACNMU@wsp.com

Specific comments and responses

ACNMU_001

Hello

Thanks for your notification. Could you confirm the following please:

What is the purpose of the consultation? As you state the materials and proposals are identical is it just to surface any changes that may be relevant since the last consultation.

What are the timescales now for the progress, construction and opening of the proposed route?

Thanks

Response

Good Morning

Thank you for your email of 22/05/2024 regarding the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User (ACNMU) scheme.

The purpose of the exhibitions is to:

Provide an overview of the preferred route design proposals.
Present details of the ongoing design development of the preferred route and also outline the next steps for the project.
Provide you with an opportunity to submit any views you may have on the ongoing design to be submitted for planning consent.
Re-inform the public and stakeholders of the scheme details to comply with the requirements for public consultation as part of the planning application process. There is a need to re-inform the public and stakeholders of the scheme details.

I can confirm there haven’t been changes made to the scheme from the previous exhibition held in May 2022.

Transport Scotland has committed to include the proposed ACNMU scheme in the A9 Dualling construction programme as part of the nearby Dalraddy to Slochd project providing all the statutory consents and the necessary land are in place. As set out in the Scottish Government A9 Dualling programme announcement on 20 December 2023, the Dalraddy to Slochd project is scheduled to commence procurement in winter 2026/27. Details of this announcement and the revised timetable for the overall A9 Dualling programme can be found on the Transport Scotland website at:

https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a9-dualling-perth-to-inverness/programme-details/#75915

Further design work and an environmental impact assessment of the preferred option for the ACNMU continues to be progressed to prepare the scheme for submission of a planning application to The Highland Council later this year. Subject to planning consent we will undertake further engagement with landowners to acquire the necessary land for the scheme. Progression of the ACNMU scheme, either in part or whole, can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures. As with all infrastructure projects it is only when all consents are in place can the approach to delivery, along with a timetable, be determined.

I hope this is helpful.

Regards

ACNMU_002

Hello,

Thank you for contacting regarding public exhibitions for the Aviemore to Carrbridge NMU Route Study. We note from the attached letter that the designs for the scheme have not changed from those previously exhibited.

As such, we do not consider that the current proposals, are likely to result in significant impacts on heritage assets within our remit.

Many thanks,

Response

We have noted your comments with a review of not having significant impacts on heritage assets within your remit.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being undertaken for the scheme covers any subsequent impacts on any statutory designated sites such as heritage assets.

ACNMU_003

I fully support the proposed route and surface. I hope where possible as much separation is achieved between the road and the NMU

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU) Public Exhibition.

Your feedback has been received by the Project Team and we welcome your comments.

Kind regards,

ACNMU_004

Very supportive of this – safety , connectivity, economic benefits to communities, health , tourism .

Hopefully it will happen and forgive my being cynical but this is long overdue and unfortunate it is linked to the dualling, but we are where we are,

Kind regards

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU) Public Exhibition.

Your feedback has been received by the Project Team and we welcome your comments.

Kind regards,

ACNMU_005

My husband and I visited the exhibition in Aviemore. Our main comment is on the proposed unsignaled crossing of the A95 at Granish. This is a busy road. Would a safety isle in the middle of the road be appropriate?

Response

We note your comment in relation to the following:

You are questioning whether a safety island in the middle of the road would be more appropriate.
Unsignalised crossing of the A95 at Granish and being a busy road.

We have received feedback from individual equestrians and equestrian groups as part of the public consultation on this project who wish to ensure that the route is accessible for equestrians and that refuge islands are not preferable for equestrians who may use the route.

The design team have given further consideration to the details of the crossing as the detailed design develops taking account of expected NMU usage and traffic at this location as well as your concerns.

To date, a number of alternatives were considered for these crossings and the at grade crossings proposed were selected having regard to the following factors:

Underbridge or overbridge were considered at the Options Appraisal Stage. However, due to the existing road levels, the land footprint required for these options are significantly larger than a direct crossing having an impact on adjacent woodland, some of which is irreplaceable ancient woodland.

The objectives for the scheme included minimising the land footprint and curtailing environmental impacts as far as possible. Grade separated crossings did not fit within this objective and were not taken forward.
In selecting the locations for these at grade crossings, the speed of vehicles on the major road was a consideration. The crossing at Granish will be located close to the proposed A9 Dualling Granish Roundabout where speeds are expected to be significantly lower than on the rest of the A95. Also, at Kinveachy the crossing of the B9153 is close to the bellmouth of the T-junction with the A95 where speeds are expected to be lower.
The designs of the crossings at Granish and Kinveachy will comply with the design standards in DMRB (the design standards for major roads throughout the UK) and also the ‘Cycling by Design’ Guidelines for NMU routes.
Both at grade road crossings will have appropriate signage and road markings along with speed reduction measures to ensure safety at these crossings.

An independent Road Safety Audit has been carried out on the design and recommended that a grade separated or signalised crossing be implemented at this location.

With due consideration of the design guidance, public feedback from the engagement events and the safety of users, the crossing at Granish is now proposed to be signalised and the NMU design shall be progressed on this basis.

ACNMU_006

I live in carrbridge and would love to be updated on the path between carrbridge and aviemore. If it gets the ahead, which I hope it does. when do they hope to have project started and finished?

Response

Thanks

We note your comments regarding to be kept informed of the project and the timescales of the project.

After concluding this current round of virtual and public exhibitions, we will begin finalising the planning application while working closely with CNPA, The Highland Council, The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership and Sustrans and will be seeking to submit the planning application.

Following receipt of planning consent, land negotiations to obtain the necessary land of the scheme will progress through further engagement with landowners.

After all statutory consents including planning and land acquisition are in place, it is proposed that this project will be included in the A9 Dualling Dalraddy to Slochd contract, assuming all these consents are in place by the time the procurement process for the A9 Dualling scheme commences, which is currently programmed to have a contract awarded in Autumn 2028.

ACNMU_007

I welcome the Aviemore to Carrbridge NMU. However, the proposal to have an unsignalised crossing at Granish junction is disastrous. It is a very busy junction at present and unlikely to be less so in the future. In my opinion the only safe way to allow people to cross at this point is to have a pedestrian/cycle bridge. Anything else would be lethal. I am so concerned about this proposal that I shall bring it to the attention of my MSP.

Response

We note your concerns with regard to the unsignalised crossing at Granish Junction. The design team have given further consideration to the details of the crossing as the detailed design develops taking account of expected NMU usage and traffic at this location as well as your concerns.

To date, a number of alternatives were considered for these crossings and the at grade crossings proposed were selected having regard to the following factors:

Underbridge or overbridge were considered at the Options Appraisal Stage. However, due to the existing road levels, the land footprint required for these options are significantly larger than a direct crossing having an impact on adjacent woodland, some of which is irreplaceable ancient woodland.
The objectives for the scheme included minimising the land footprint and curtailing environmental impacts as far as possible. Grade separated crossings did not fit within this objective and were not taken forward.
In selecting the locations for these at grade crossings, the speed of vehicles on the major road was a consideration. The crossing at Granish will be located close to the proposed A9 Dualling Granish Roundabout where speeds are expected to be significantly lower than on the rest of the A95. Also, at Kinveachy the crossing of the B9153 is close to the bellmouth of the T-junction with the A95 where speeds are expected to be lower.
The designs of the crossings at Granish and Kinveachy will comply with the design standards in DMRB (the design standards for major roads throughout the UK) and also the ‘Cycling by Design’ Guidelines for NMU routes.
Both at grade road crossings will have appropriate signage and road markings along with speed reduction measures to ensure safety at these crossings.

An independent Road Safety Audit has been carried out on the design and recommended that a grade separated or signalised crossing be implemented at this location.

ACNMU_008

I have not found the virtual exhibition user friendly at all and have been unable to see anything of importance such as detailed drawings etc I would prefer just to have a list of the documents available as even the leaflet wouldn't open with anything other than the first page visible and it took a long time to do that. The whole thing is totally clunky and time consuming. I'm using a laptop and I am very computer literate.

Response

Dear,

Following your feedback given on the ACNMU virtual exhibition room, I would invite you to access the materials on the Transport Scotland Website.

Please find access to the links requested in a list format available on the following link;

Public and Virtual Exhibitions - June/July 2024 - Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User | Transport Scotland

If you would like to give feedback, the feedback period is open until 12pm on 11th June 2024.

You can do this via the website using the link above or by responding to this e-mail.

Kind Regards,

ACNMU_009

I agree with the preferred route design, which roughly follows the existing A95 to Kiveachy junction. It's the only route that makes sense. Hopefully the planning and build process can be swift and the route could open in 2025.

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU).

Your feedback has been received by the Project Team and we welcome your comments.

Kind regards,

ACNMU_010

I think that you have reached a workable route, even although there are a few compromises. My main concern is the crossing of the route at the Granish roundabout, will there be good signage warning vehicles about the crossing? Looking forward to using it.

Response

We note your concerns with regard to the crossing at Granish Junction. The design team have given further consideration to the details of the crossing as the detailed design develops taking account of expected NMU usage and traffic at this location as well as your concerns.

To date, a number of alternatives were considered for these crossings and the at grade crossings proposed were selected having regard to the following factors:

Underbridge or overbridge were considered at the Options Appraisal Stage. However, due to the existing road levels, the land footprint required for these options are significantly larger than a direct crossing having an impact on adjacent woodland, some of which is irreplaceable ancient woodland.
The objectives for the scheme included minimising the land footprint and curtailing environmental impacts as far as possible. Grade separated crossings did not fit within this objective and were not taken forward.
In selecting the locations for these at grade crossings, the speed of vehicles on the major road was a consideration. The crossing at Granish will be located close to the proposed A9 Dualling Granish Roundabout where speeds are expected to be significantly lower than on the rest of the A95. Also, at Kinveachy the crossing of the B9153 is close to the bellmouth of the T-junction with the A95 where speeds are expected to be lower.
The designs of the crossings at Granish and Kinveachy will comply with the design standards in DMRB (the design standards for major roads throughout the UK) and also the ‘Cycling by Design’ Guidelines for NMU routes.
Both at grade road crossings will have appropriate signage and road markings along with speed reduction measures to ensure safety at these crossings.

An independent Road Safety Audit has been carried out on the design and recommended that a grade separated or signalised crossing be implemented at this location.

With due consideration of the design guidance, public feedback at the engagement events and the safety of users, the crossing at Granish is now proposed to be signalised and the NMU design shall be progressed on this basis.

ACNMU_011

Please could you tell us who is on the Aviemore to Carrbridge NMU stakeholder team and whether there are any local representatives.

We are concerned that there is an exhibition tomorrow and there are no official posters or local notification om either village noticeboards or social media.

Thank you.

Response

Hi Linda,

Many thanks for your email. Transport Scotland representatives and their design consultants Atkins Mouchel Joint Venture (AMJV) will be in attendance at the exhibition in Carrbridge tomorrow. A wider distribution of emails and letters notifying key stakeholders of both the exhibitions in Aviemore on 5th June and Carrbridge on 20th June was circulated on 22nd May. There have also been two rounds of newspapers adverts in 3 local papers; The Press & Journal, Strathspey & Badenoch Herald and the Inverness Courier on the 23/24th May and 13/14th June.

We look forward to hopefully seeing you at the exhibition tomorrow.

Kind Regards,

ACNMU_012

Thank you to everyone for their time and the information provided at the Carrbridge to Aviemore NMU exhibition held in Carrbridge on Thursday.

It is hoped that the number of people who attended and the petition which has already gathered more than 100 signatures demonstrates the strong local support for the NMU to be constructed as soon as possible with the request for urgent priority to be given to the section running along the increasingly dangerous B1953 from Carrbridge to the Kinveachy junction.

As we said at the exhibition, we have established an informal group operating under the name of the Carrbridge NMU Campaign.

In the current absence of a community council, we would please request that we might provide a point of contact in the village to keep up to date with progress or any new developments so as we can feed information back into the community.

I am happy for my personal email to be used for contact until we set up a specific email account.

We are still trying to encourage further feedback and will forward any comments we receive along with a copy of the petition in due course.

Thank you again for your time.

Response

Dear

Firstly, thanks for your attendance at the Carrbridge exhibition and for your updates in your email below. See some queries we have regards your response that will help our forthgoing correspondence channels going forward.

As you have confirmed that you are content to be the main contact for the Carrbridge NMU Campaign can you confirm that you are the principal petitioner which you say is to demonstrate strong local support for the NMU?

Can you confirm if you are looking to submit the petition as a hard copy or email to ACNMU@wsp.com or is it being posted elsewhere? This will help us liaise with Transport Scotland to let them know when and where to expect it. We would duly remind you that we would appreciate if the formal feedback, including the petition, can be issued to the project team by the deadline Thursday 11th July next week as this can be formally recorded in this consultation window.

We look forward to hearing from you at the earliest convenience,

Kind Regards,

ACNMU_013

Good evening

My wife and I have just returned from your exhibition at the Carrbridge Village Hall and viewed the proposals. We, together with our family, are all supportive of your proposals and the most important comment would be "the sooner the better"! We would very much hope that these works can be carried out in advance of the dualling of the A9, I like many others maintain a high degree of scepticism that this will be started never mind completed by 2028! I am 69 and a very keen cyclist. It would be great if this route could be in place whilst I am still able to cycle!!

In terms of the proposed route I can see the logic behind this. One suggestion would be to provide an access option to cross the A95 (South of the Kinveachy junction) and enable people to have the option of heading down the existing forestry track towards Boat of Garten eventually linking in with the Cycle Route 7. The crossing could be on similar lines to the one recently amended when crossing the A95 at the foot of Docharn and opposite Deshar Primary School.

Good luck!

Yours,

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU).

Your feedback has been received by the Project Team and we welcome your comments.

Kind regards,

ACNMU_014

I am very happy with the route design, it has taken many aspects into consideration and shows great detail and usability - delighted that it will be going ahead.

As a previous member of Carbridge & Vicinity Community Council, an NMU between Aviemore and Carrbridge has been at the top of Community Action Plans for many years - it will be a great bonus to the community, the environment and the safety of all and will undoubtedly have high usage by both locals and visitors.

Looking forward to it being completed as soon as possible.

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU).

Your feedback has been received by the Project Team and we welcome your comments.

Kind regards,

ACNMU_015

Route design is great but just the same as last time! Please can we get it asap as some of us OAP's may not be here to see it! Many Thanks x

Response

We have noted your positive feedback in relation to the NMU Route and thank you for your support.

ACNMU_016

Still looks good. Looking forward to it being finished!

Response

We have noted your positive feedback in relation to the NMU Route and thank you for your support.

ACNMU_017

With regard to the Exhibition in Carrbridge on 20 June 2024

1 Is it really necessary to have the route surfaced? Given most of the walk and cycleways in the area have a gravel or similar finish, would this suffice and save a significant cost to the project?

2 Similarly, as a cost saving exercise, is it necessary to be 3m wide with verges? In a rural location this seems excessive given the likely traffic flows.

3 Taking both of the points above into account would surely limit the clearance work required through woodland and other areas, reducing impact on the natural environment and enabling the work to be completed in a more timely period.

I have attached a photo of a typical local forest NMU pathway.

Response

We have noted your comments regarding the following:

Your query regarding the surface of the route
Your query regarding the width of the route

With regard to your concerns on the surfacing, it is anticipated that a high number of users will be cyclists. It is anticipated that by providing a bitumen surface that a high level of service and comfort will accommodate users by way of a smooth, durable, long lifespan and lower maintenance surface.

We note your comment on the route width of 3m as being inadequate.

An analysis of the route was undertaken to determine the appropriate route width for the ACNMU in advance of preparing the outline design. This considered:

relevant design guidance,
the rural setting of the route,
the predicted level of use anticipated on the route,
feedback received at the Options Appraisal Stage Public Exhibition,
land take required for the scheme,
impact on environmental receptors,

It was determined that 3m is sufficient provision for the rural nature of the area between Aviemore and Carrbridge and appropriate for the estimated lower user density and associated low levels of potential conflict anticipated.

ACNMU_018

I was very impressed by the overall route design. I am certain it will be very well-used and will certainly justify the investment. I do think that the construction should take place as soon aa possible and should NOT be dependent or linked in any way to the timetable for upgrading the A9 road.

I believe that the most transformative part of the route is the Carrbridge-Kinveachy Junction section. I cycle this section quite regularly and enabling people to take this route away from the public road will be of enormous benefit and will open up the route to families etc. Also it provides a direct walking/running route. As things stand, this is a ‘fast’ traffic route and only for experienced cyclists I would say. I believe for this reason, this section of the route should be prioritised in terms of construction, if possible.

Response

We note your comments in relation to the following:

You are concerned regarding the timescales of the project, in connection with the A9 Dualling.
Your desire that the Carrbridge to Kinveachy section is constructed first to improve safety on the B9153.

Having concluded this current round of virtual and public exhibitions, we are finalising the planning application while working closely with CNPA, The Highland Council, The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership and Sustrans and will be seeking to submit the planning application.

Following receipt of planning consent, land negotiations to obtain the necessary land of the scheme will begin in earnest through further engagement with landowners.

Thereafter, after all statutory consents including planning and land acquisition are in place, it is proposed that this project will be included in the A9 Dualling Dalraddy to Slochd contract, assuming all these consents are in place by the time the procurement process for the A9 Dualling scheme commences.

Progression of the ACNMU scheme, either in part or whole, can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures. As with all infrastructure projects it is only when all consents are in place can the approach to delivery, along with a timetable, be determined.

ACNMU_019

NMU Carrbridge to Aviemore

To Whom It May Concern

We would like to give full support to the preferred route design for the Carrbridge to Aviemore NMU.

We would please ask that construction commences as soon as possible and as a matter of urgency.

We would also please request that top priority is given to the three mile section from Carrbridge to Kinveachy junction running alongside the B1953.

This is an extremely dangerous and increasingly busy stretch of road with blind bends and relatively narrow sections.

Grave concern has been expressed by motorists about suddenly either encountering cyclists or slowed traffic queued behind cyclists. By the same token cyclists take their life in their hands risking pedalling this stretch of road. It is only time before there is a fatal accident.

The B1953 is marked as part of the Sustrans main Route 7 and also marked as a Hi-Trans cyclists travel route.

For both local residents and visiting tourists, an NMU would be our off road link to neighbouring communities bringing with it all the benefits of active travel, connectivity and economic impact helping support our local cafe and village shops.

We hope that the planning application will be well received and every effort can be made for work to be started on the NMU as an immediate priority and in advance of the next stage of the A9 dualling.

Thank you.

Response

Dear

Thank you for your support of the preferred route design for ACNMU.

We note your comments in relation to the following:

You are concerned regarding the timescales of the project, in connection with the A9 Dualling.
Your desire that the Carrbridge to Kinveachy section is constructed first to improve safety on the B9153.

Following receipt of planning consent, land negotiations to obtain the necessary land of the scheme will begin in earnest through further engagement with landowners.

ACNMU_020

NMU Carrbridge to Aviemore

Preferred route design feedback

As a resident of Carrbridge, I would like to give full support to the proposed route design for the urgently needed NMU and in particular the section from Carrbridge to Kinveachy junction alongside the busy and dangerous B1953.

This NMU is urgently needed. We hope that planning permissions can be obtained and construction work can begin as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Response

We have noted your positive feedback in relation to the NMU Route and thank you for your support.

ACNMU_021

NMU Carrbridge to Aviemore

To Whom It May Concern

We recently went to the exhibition at Carrbridge Village Hall, I would like to voice me and my family are in full support to the route design for the Carrbridge to Aviemore NMU.

I would also please request that urgent priority is given to the three mile section from Carrbridge to Kinveachy junction running alongside the busy and dangerous B1953 and also due to the route 7 now being used on this section is very dangerous and have met many a families on the road travelling on bikes watching a lot of near misses.

Thank you

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU) Public Exhibition.

Your feedback has been received by the Project Team and we welcome your comments.

Kind regards,

ACNMU_022

Just to clarify. I have sent you two emails.

I have sent my own personal feedback for inclusion in your submission. Email July 2nd.

I also sent an email regarding representing the Carrbridge NMU Campaign petition. June 21. Copies of both emails as below.

As regards the petition, this is to be sent by email to the Transport Minister, Fiona Hislop, the project email address ACNMU and . It will be copied in to our local MSPs, Sustrans and Hi Trans.

It now has around 180 signatures and will be sent in the next few days and before the July 11 deadline.

I am one of the three main campaigners in Carrbridge who have set up the petition representing the views from our community and from visiting road users.

The other two main campaigners are and with permission for using my email as the main contact point.

From our point of view, it would be appreciated if we could have a named contact for the ACNMU email address as a representative of the AMJV - A9 ACNMU Stakeholder Team

Thank you.

Response

Good Afternoon

Thank you for your e-mail.

is the main point of contact within the project, however ACNMU@wsp.com will remain the contact e-mail address as this is monitored by - along with several other members of the team, and can be actioned if is absent.

Thank you for sending on the information regarding the petition.

Kind Regards,

ACNMU_023

Please find below my personal feedback in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User (NMU) Preferred route design.

With regard to Key Area 2 - Granish Junction. I understand that you feel that the position of the road crossing for the NMU is because you believe that traffic will be slower at that point.

I am not comfortable with the proximity of the crossing to the roundabout both as a cyclist and a motorist.

As a cyclist I would be concerned that traffic in both directions is looking ahead and concentrating more on the approaching roundabout. In addition traffic coming from the A9 to the roundabout then travelling left could be travelling at speed if entering the roundabout unimpeded. It is currently unclear what the visibility for both people crossing and traffic coming from the A9 might be but I would still be concerned.

As a motorist having to check both sides of the road for NMU users as I approach a busy roundabout with presumably two lanes I think the crossing is too close and should be moved further away from the roundabout where the road is straight and it is much clearer to see traffic and their intentions therefore safer to cross.

With regard to the Carrbridge end.

Another area which I would like to bring to attention is nearer to Carrbridge. A core path from the forest that leads from Carrbridge through Carr to the B1953 should be taken into consideration and no obstructions (such as ditches or barriers) placed to prevent users joining the NMU on the opposite side of the road from this path. This is a well used path by both walkers and cyclists so it is important that access to the NMU from it is not impeded. Grid reference 9105021180.

In addition.

I would also like to request that when constructed the work starts from Carrbridge rather than Aviemore as currently there is no safe NMU route out of Carrbridge whereas Aviemore already has the Speyside way passing through. The current route from Carrbridge as advertised by Sustrans (Route 7) follows the B1953 from Carrbridge to Kinveachy junction along the a twisting road which is totally unsuitable for cyclists. This section urgently needs to have an NMU for the community of Carrbridge and visitors to safely join into other NMU's in the area.

Kind Regards

Response

We note your concerns with regard to thecrossing at Granish Junction. The design team have given further consideration to the details of the crossing as the detailed design develops taking account of expected NMU usage and traffic at this location as well as your concerns.

To date, a number of alternatives were considered for the crossing and the at grade crossings proposed was selected having regard to the following factors:

Underbridge or overbridge were considered at the Options Appraisal Stage. However, due to the existing road levels, the land footprint required for these options are significantly larger than a direct crossing having an impact on adjacent woodland, some of which is irreplaceable ancient woodland.
The objectives for the scheme included minimising the land footprint and curtailing environmental impacts as far as possible. Grade separated crossings did not fit within this objective and were not taken forward.
In selecting the locations for these at grade crossings, the speed of vehicles on the major road was a consideration. The crossing at Granish will be located close to the proposed A9 Dualling Granish Roundabout where speeds are expected to be significantly lower than on the rest of the A95. Also, at Kinveachy the crossing of the B9153 is close to the bellmouth of the T-junction with the A95 where speeds are expected to be lower.
The designs of the crossings at Granish and Kinveachy will comply with the design standards in DMRB (the design standards for major roads throughout the UK) and also the ‘Cycling by Design’ Guidelines for NMU routes.
Both at grade road crossings will have appropriate signage and road markings along with speed reduction measures to ensure safety at these crossings.

An independent Road Safety Audit has been carried out on the design and recommended that a grade separated or signalised crossing be implemented at this location.

We note your comment on the existing core path within the vicinity of the ACNMU. Interconnectivity with other core paths/NMU routes will be considered as the detail design develops.

We note your concerns with regard to the construction starting at the Carrbridge end first. Progression of the ACNMU scheme, either in part or whole, can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures. As with all infrastructure projects it is only when all consents are in place can the approach to delivery, along with a timetable, be determined.

ACNMU_024

Please find attached a petition of over 185 signatures gathered within the community of Carrbridge of both local people and visitors who support the prioritising of the Carrbridge to Kinveachy junction stretch of the ACNMU along with some anecdotes that were noted during the collection of names.

There is widespread support in the community of Carrbridge for the long promised non-motorised walking/cycle path between Carrbridge and Aviemore (ACNMU) however, there is concern about the length of time this is taking to come into fruition.

Many in the community would request that urgent priority is given to the B1953 section, the 3 miles between the village of Carrbridge and the junction at Kinveachy where the B1953 joins the A95. This is a fast and dangerous stretch of road with blind bends and an increasing amount of traffic. It is also used as a diversionary route whenever the A9 is closed due to accident/incident or road works.

It is believed that there is likely to be a further increase in traffic once the dualling gets underway and therefore request that the NMU is constructed as a high priority and well in advance of the Dalraddy/Slocht dualling (was expected 2025 now not proposed until 2033) and that the construction is started at Carrbridge.

Carrbridge is one of the only communities in the area that does not have an NMU and we would like to change that as soon as possible and open our community up for those who live here, visit here and wish to travel here.

Kind Regards

Carrbridge NMU Campaign Group

Response

Dear

A9 Dualling: Perth to Inverness

Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Scheme (ACNMU)

I refer to your emails of 04 and 10 July 2024 to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and to Transport Scotland concerning the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Route (ACNMU) to which I have been asked to respond.

I confirm receipt of the Carrbridge NMU Campaign Group’s petition supporting the construction of the non-motorised user route between Carrbridge and Aviemore and requesting that priority be given to the section of the non-motorised user route between Carrbridge and Kinveachy.

Transport Scotland has committed to include the proposed ACNMU scheme in the A9 Dualling construction programme as part of the nearby Dalraddy to Slochd project providing all the statutory consents and the necessary land are in place. Progression of the ACNMU scheme, either in part or whole, can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures. Transport Scotland will give consideration to the option to build part of the scheme once the statutory process has been completed and the land required to construct the scheme is secured.

I would be grateful if you could complete the attached Respondent Information Form giving Transport Scotland permission to publish your petition. It is our intention to include a copy of the petition, with names and addresses redacted, within the Public Engagement Event Summary Report being prepared to capture the feedback raised at the recent public and virtual exhibitions for the project, including a response to the matters raised within the petition. This report will also be included in the documents to be submitted as part of the forthcoming planning application process.

I thank you for taking the time to provide this petition, indicating the strong local support for the project, and as requested the Project Team will keep you informed on the progress of the project including the publication of the Public Engagement Event Summary Report on the Transport Scotland website

I hope this is helpful.

Yours sincerely,

ACNMU_025

Following on from our previous email please see our attached letter.

Kind regards

(Letter provided contained a thank you for the invitation and stated that they would not attend exhibitions on this occasion. Hyperlinks were provided for regulatory requirements and good practice advice).

Response

Dear

Thank you for your email in relation to the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Study (NMU).

We will be in contact if we need any further advice as we finalise our planning submission.

Kind regards,

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