Major efforts to improve transport links in and around Perth have been welcomed by councillors.
Although the ambitious project could cost around £23.5 million, it was deemed “vital” to enabling the city to grow.
The first phase of the Perth Transport Futures (PTF) initiative will see the upgrading of the A9/A85 junction, which could create between 3,000 and 5,000 new jobs.
The council’s leader, Councillor Ian Miller, praised the programme for setting out the first steps in addressing the future expansion of the city, saying it has “enormous consequences”.
He added: “We’ve been looking at this scheme for a number of years now and it began as an attempt to (tackle) traffic congestion in the A85/A9 junctions.
“Since then, we have developed the plan to incorporate a number of other important aspects that will stand us in good stead for the future.
“While it outlines the total picture of the PTF project, this paper concentrates primarily on moving forward the first phase, which is the A9/A85 junction and the link through to the new Berthapark development.”
Mr Miller also outlined the range of benefits he believes the proposals will have for Perth, including protecting the future viability of the public transport network, paving the way for new development of housing, industrial and commercial land, providing an alternative entrance to the Inveralmond Industrial Estate and providing the first stage of improvements to transport infrastructure, which includes the Cross Tay link.
The junction will also go some way to addressing air quality issues in Perth City Centre, which has one of the most polluted streets in Scotland.
Mr Miller continued: “I could go on and on but the important thing for us all to bear in mind is that the decision today must be made with an eye to the future.
“That future includes a sustained growth in population that we must begin to plan for now. This plan is only the first step but it’s an important first step and, in my view, it’s vital that we give this approval today.
“It is of enormous importance to the future of the city.”
Concerns were raised that the A9/A85 junction could have an adverse effect on traffic within the city, namely Crieff Road and Newhouse Road.
Councillor John Flynn sought assurances that additional pressure would not be placed on the city’s infrastructure.
The executive director of the environment, Jim Valentine, responded, saying: “The junction deals primarily with the area around the A9/A85 and will ease congestion on Crieff Road and Newhouse Road.
“The package as a whole reduces traffic going through here.”
The proposals were welcomed by Councillor Willie Wilson, who told his colleagues that they “tackled an issue that needs to be tackled”.
He stated, however, that he was “disappointed” by the lack of any provision for sustainable transport.
He said: “We need to look very carefully at public transport and sustainable methods of transport.
“If we are going to spend £20 million, and it’s likely that we are, then we need to look at the sustainability of it as well as the feasibility of it.”
Dialogue has started with landowners to allow the council to secure the land necessary to start work on phase one of PTF the A9/A85 junction upgrade and the link to Berthapark.
It is hoped that land acquisition can be agreed amicably but the council will be asked to agree to progress Compulsory Purchase Orders should they be necessary.
The cost of phase one is estimated to be £23.5m, of which the council will have to fund £20.9m. Councillors will be asked to commit to funding phase one through prudential borrowing.