By Dave Lord

A KILLER junction on Scotland’s most dangerous road will be upgraded soon.

The Courier can reveal that “draft orders” pertaining to works at Ballinluig on the A9 have at last been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council.

The development will be seen as highly significant as it shows that proposals are finally on track. Work should begin next year.

Local campaign groups and politicians have been pressing for a grade-separated junction while a spirited Courier campaign also helped to gain governmental assurances.

However, there was dismay in 2004 when the Executive confessed that work on the junction had been delayed by a year.

North Tayside MSP John Swinney last night spoke of his delight.

“I am pleased to hear that the Scottish Executive has finally arranged for the draft orders for the Ballinluig junction to be sent to Perth and Kinross Council and the Ballinluig Post Office,” he told The Courier.

“The document will be available for public inspection at both locations and I understand from Perth and Kinross Council that a copy will be available in Pitlochry soon.

“This will allow members of the public to survey the plans and give them the opportunity to put forward their views.”

Mr Swinney said there could be no doubt the development is wholly positive. “This is definitely a sign of movement on the project, which is long overdue,” he remarked.

“I would encourage all those who have concerns about the A9 and the Ballinluig junction to check out the plans and express any opinions or concerns.

“I hope that progress on the junction will continue and we will see an early date for construction works.”

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that the authority had received papers and that they were available for public inspection at Pullar House.

There has been a long history of bad accidents on the A9 north of Perth, with the road’s regular changes between single and dual carriageway being blamed for many deaths.

At the Ballinluig junction in 2001, four members of an Israeli family died following a collision. Pressure following that incident eventually led to the Executive’s pledge to upgrade the junction.