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Could painted arrows improve A9 safety ahead of full dualling?

The switch between single and dual carriageway has been blamed for many of the A9's worst accidents.
The switch between single and dual carriageway has been blamed for many of the A9's worst accidents.

Painting arrows on the A9 could help save lives.

Safety campaigners say the measure would remind motorists, particularly those unfamiliar with the road, which direction they are travelling in.

The constant change from single to dual carriageway between Perth and Inverness has long been blamed for confusing drivers and causing accidents.

Transport Scotland has been urged to implement a range of short-term solutions.

Fife resident Peter Manson, a retired construction worker, told The Courier that painting arrows on the road would provide a “cheap and quick” way of reducing accidents.

He said: “My suggestion is that the direction arrows presently painted on the road surface at very few locations should be repeated at least every mile, or even closer intervals, on all the single-carriageway sections so drivers are aware of the direction of flow.

“This could be added to by increasing the number of fixed roadside signs indicating two-way traffic which, although being more expensive than the road markings, would still be a very economic additional measure.

“From experience in my career, I know how inexpensive road markings are and this type of operation, carried out overnight when the road is quiet, could be done very quickly and very soon.”

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife and A9 campaigner Murdo Fraser said: “We must look at interim measures because the dualling project is not due to be completed until 2025, by which time a further 60 to 70 lives could have been lost and 60 to 70 families will have been shattered as a result.

“I drive the A9 a lot and there are still points where I am confused as to whether I am on a single or dual carriageway.

“Fixed road signs indicating two-way traffic would offer more information to motorists and could help save lives and should be investigated further by the Scottish Government.

“There is no doubt that overseas visitors are confused by the road and that is a factor in a number of accidents.”

He also called for more to be done in highlighting road safety issues to visitors from other countries and suggested targeting car hire companies at Scottish airports.

A spokesman from Transport Scotland revealed that it had already asked the A9 Safety Group to look into developing similar measures, including improved consistency of “signing and lining”.