Road safety improvements will be installed at two locations along the A9 in Perthshire in response to the record number of deaths on the major route this year.
Transport minister Jenny Gilruth revealed the plans at the latest meeting of the A9 Safety Group held in Pitlochry last week.
Existing proposals totalling £95,000 will be invested into enhanced signage and road markings across the A9 Ballinluig southbound and the A9/B8079 junction at Pitagowan to further improve road safety.
The A9 at Ralia (north of the Perth and Kinross border) will also benefit from the funding.
Following several recent fatalities on the major route, partner organisations have again convened to consider any short-term interventions which can be made in advance of dualling works.
The A9 Safety Group was set up by Transport Scotland as a multi-agency group to reduce fatal and serious road traffic accidents.
The road through Highland Perthshire and beyond has claimed its highest rate of deaths for more than 20 years with 14 people having died on the road so far in 2022.
The latest tragedy saw an 83-year-old woman die following a road crash on the A9 at its junction with the B8081 at Blackford at the end of October.
She said: “My condolences go to all those who have lost loved ones in the recent fatalities on the A9.
“One death on Scotland’s roads is one too many, but the concerning increase in fatal road collisions on the A9 requires urgent action from government.
“I have chaired the A9 Safety Group today to seek assurances around the short-term measures planned for the route.
“This follows on from meetings I’ve held with Police Scotland to better understand the nature of these recent incidents.
“While those investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specific circumstances – but I’ve asked that all partners continue to consider all possible interventions which could help keep people safe.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser last month called on the Scottish Government to “sit up and take notice” at the recent spate of fatalities and speed up the dualling project.
Only two sections totalling around just 11 miles have been dualled so far, with approximately 70 miles yet be upgraded despite Transport Scotland’s ‘Completion 2025”’ projection.
“As I outlined in parliament, the Scottish Government is firmly committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness,” Ms Gilruth added.
“We have already invested over £430 million to date delivering the dualling programme.
“Work is continuing across the A9, with road users already benefiting from the dualled stretch between Kincraig and Dalraddy and between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam, which opened in September 2017 and August 2021 respectively.
“I am reassured by our road safety partners’ commitment to keeping people safe and the further £95,000 investment by the Scottish Government this financial year will see enhanced signage and road markings at key locations along the route.”
Road safety must be at the heart of the vision for the A9 with short-term measures prioritised to cut accidents, claims MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell.
The Scottish Greens member spoke after the Scottish Parliament debated the proposed dualling projects on the A9 and A96.
He said: “When I speak to communities along the A9, the message is clear. They want us to improve dangerous junctions and reduce speed.
“That means directing investment where it is most needed and where it can make a real, tangible difference. Suggestions from the Dunkeld and Birnam Junctions Action Group about what can be done in the short term to make the A9 safer need to be taken seriously and budget prioritised ahead of any full dualling project.
“The Bute House Agreement that the Scottish Greens negotiated with the Scottish Government, commits us to addressing and tackling safety concerns and responding to community needs, whilst respecting our climate ambitions across Scotland’s transport network. That’s the right approach for the A9 and will inform the government’s decision on the A96.”
