By Alan Richardson

A SECTION of the notorious A9 north of Perth has been earmarked for long-awaited dualling work, it was revealed yesterday.

The government has ordered a full review of the route between Luncarty and Birnam to decide whether to include it in a package of roadworks in coming years.

Although the move far from commits the government to carrying out the work—a key manifesto pledge by the SNP before the party came to power—it was described yesterday as a significant step forward.

Transport Scotland has already identified the near 10-mile portion of road as the most suitable for immediate work, and further studies will determine whether it should be funded under the Strategic Transport Projects Review—the 10-year programme of work envisaged by the government from 2012.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson said, “The A9 is crucial to economic development in the north of Scotland.

“We made the commitment to plan for dualling the A9 when we came into office and today’s announcement is a major step forward in that process.

“I asked Transport Scotland to identify the next possible stretch of the A9 to be dualled and these designs will now look at ways to widen the carriageway, close the central reservation gaps and introduce grade separated junctions.

“By undertaking the design work between Luncarty and Birnam, the potential project can be assessed in the STPR for funding with a robust basis for consideration.”

He added, “It means when we come to make decisions in the STPR, we will be in a fuller state of readiness.

“I expect we will be bringing forward specific proposals and this will ensure we have done the preliminary work to use when we move forward.”

Since coming into government SNP ambitions for the road to be dualled in its entirety between Perth and Inverness have become more realistic, but Mr Stevenson said they has far from given up on the scheme.

“It is a very, very important strategic corridor in Scotland and one we want to see dualled end to end.

“Clearly we can’t do it all at once and I’m looking at early opportunities to make progress, which is what this latest announcement is about.”

Together with upgrades at the Ballinluig junction which are under way, yesterday’s move could go some way to sating campaigners’ calls for improvements on a road dubbed Scotland’s most dangerous in recent polls and plagued by frustrating and costly hold-ups.

Cbi Scotland’s assistant director David Lonsdale said, “Transport is the lifeblood of our economy and of tourism, and the need for this crucial artery to be upgraded is beyond doubt.

“In our manifesto CBI Scotland members called for the complete dualling of the A9 between Perth and Pitlochry, with increased passing places north to Inverness, so this announcement by the minister is a welcome step forward.”

However, local Conservative MSP and long-time campaigner Murdo Fraser was less enthused, accusing Mr Stevenson of “rehashing announcements on feasibility studies... instead of giving a firm commitment to dual the A9 in its entirety.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson hit back, saying, “Of course this is a new announcement and it is absolutely incorrect to suggest otherwise.

“The work announced in 2006 was for a feasibility study.

“Today’s announcement is about detailed designs for the section of the road which are necessary in order to plan for dualling.

“Dualling of the A9 will be considered as part of the STPR. The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to plan for the dualling of the whole of the A9.”

Pointing out that previous transport minister, the Lib Dem’s Tavish Scott, stated a feasibility study should be complete by the end of 2006, he said, “I do not want to see old promises about the possibility of dualling sections of the A9 being given—I want to see a real commitment to dualling the whole A9 between Perth and Inverness.

“The new transport minister Stewart Stevenson has been in his role since May 2007 and all he is doing is rehashing old promises from the old Executive.

“I want to know what he has been doing for the last 10 months in relation to A9 dualling and when he will give a firm commitment to dualling the road.

“Furthermore, although this announcement is looking into the possibility of dualling the A9 between Perth and Pitlochry, the people who use the A9 regularly understand that this road must be upgraded to dual carriageway status between Perth and Inverness.

“The SNP Government must show to the people of Perthshire that they will keep their manifesto pledge and dual the A9.

“It is clear to me that the A9 needs urgent action and upgrading to dual carriageway status between Perth and Inverness.”

SNP MSP John Swinney said, “Users of the A9 know the difficulties faced currently travelling on the road and we must make progress in improving this.”