Public and virtual engagement preparation

Advertising

In advance of the exhibition, letters of invitation were sent via email or post to Community Councils and NMU groups who were asked to distribute the information to members and the wider community. Similarly, invitations were issued via email to CNPA, THC, HITRANS and Sustrans. Further invites were issued via email to Historic Environment Scotland, SEPA and NatureScot in their capacity as Statutory Consultees.

The invitations were issued via email to the following Community Councils:

  • Aviemore and Vicinity
  • Boat of Garten
  • Dulnain Bridge
  • Grantown-on-Spey
  • Kincraig and Vicinity
  • Kingussie and Vicinity
  • Nethy Bridge
  • Newtonmore
  • Strathdearn

The invitations were issued to the following accessibility and local NMU Groups:

  • Active Aviemore
  • Badenoch and Strathspey Disability Access Panel
  • Badenoch and Strathspey Ramblers
  • Badenoch and Strathspey Trail Association
  • Badenoch and Strathspey Transport Company
  • British Horse Society (BHS)
  • Cairngorms Business Partnership
  • Cairngorm Cycling Club
  • Cairngorms Equalities Panel
  • Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum
  • Cairngorm Runners
  • Disability Beyond Borders
  • Disability Equality Scotland
  • Highland Disabled Rambler
  • Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS)
  • Mountaineering Scotland
  • National Access Forum
  • Paths for All
  • Ramblers Scotland
  • Volunteer Action Badenoch and Strathspey
  • Woodland Wheels

The content of the invitation was dependant on the individual and their possible interest in the project. An example copy of the letter of invitation can be found in Appendix A.

Press advertisements were published in the following newspapers on the following dates:

  • Strathspey and Badenoch Herald 23rd May 2024 / 13th June 2024
  • Press and Journal 23rd May 2024 / 13th June 2024
  • Inverness Courier 24th May 2024 / 14th June 2024

A copy of the press advertisement can be found at Appendix B.

Around 450 invitations were also issued to landowners in the vicinity of the scheme as well as those who had attended the previous exhibition events and had asked to be kept up to date on the project.

Exhibition Boards

Information relating to the NMU was presented on a number of display boards at both the Public and Virtual Exhibitions. The headings on each board were as follows:

  • Title Board
  • Welcome
  • Overview Plan
  • Project Development Process
  • Public Engagement
  • Preferred Route Overview
  • Key Area 1 – Dougal Drive
  • Key Area 2 – Granish Junction
  • Key Area 3 – Avielochan
  • Key Area 4 - Highland Mainline Railway Underpass
  • Key Area 5 – Kinveachy Junction
  • Key Area 6 - Carrbridge
  • Environmental Assessment
  • Planning Application and what happens next?
  • Comments and Feedback

The exhibition display boards can be viewed on the Transport Scotland website (https://www.transport.gov.scot/ACNMU) . The boards can also be found in Appendix C.

Drawings

Four strip plans showing the full preferred route from Aviemore to Carrbridge were also on display for viewing at the Public and Virtual Exhibitions. These can be found in Appendix D.

Interactive Map

An interactive map was provided at both the in-person and virtual room as an alternative method for the public to view the preferred route, particularly in relation to their property.

Contact Telephone Number

A contact telephone number was available for any queries from stakeholders and the public. This was manned during normal working hours and a voicemail facility was set up for out-of-hour calls. Queries were handled by the individual manning the phone, or where appropriate, a message would be taken and directed to the project technical team for a response.

Hard Copy Exhibition Materials

Where requested, hard copy materials could be issued to those who did not have access to the Internet.

The exhibition pack included:

  • Exhibition Boards
  • ACNMU Summary Leaflet
  • Feedback Form

No requests for hard copies were received during the consultation period.

Feedback Forms

Visitors to the exhibition events were invited to leave feedback and were given a number of options to do so, including:

  • Submitting a feedback form via the button above the desk within the virtual room.
  • Filling out a feedback form at one of the in-person events in Aviemore or Carrbridge.
  • Downloading a feedback form from the Transport Scotland website and submitting it by post or email.
  • Emailing the project email address at ACNMU@wsp.com or sending it to Transport Scotland directly.

A copy of the feedback form can be found in Appendix E.

Where feedback was provided with a contact name and contact details, a response was issued following the consultation period. All feedback and issued responses can be found in Appendix G.