Where are we now? How did we get here? What happens next?

Stage 1 of the A9 dualling project, launched by the Scottish Government in December 2011, got underway in September 2012. Jacobs was tasked with producing the strategy for developing and assessing the A9 corridor that was to be upgraded between Perth and Inverness. Complying with the road builder’s bible, the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), the broad plan was delivered in March 2014. As far as the Killiecrankie battle site was concerned, it was to be included in a manageable 10.3 km section of the road from the tie-in at the Pass of Killiecrankie to Pitagowan.

Details are here

While DMRB 1 was in progress, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was prepared by Halcrow. Details are here

In August 2014 Jacobs was awarded contracts for 5 of the 12 sections to be dualled, including the one from Killiecrankie to Pitagowan. In DMRB 2, they assessed the route options. The portion of road that affects the battle site starts at the tie-in and ends at the Essangal Bridge. For this portion there were 4 possible route options: have all the expansion on the northbound carriageway; all on the southbound carriageway; start on the northbound and cross to southbound as approaching the proposed Aldclune junction; or start on the southbound and cross to the northbound approaching the proposed Aldclune junction. In March 2016, Jacobs announced that the expansion would be along the northbound carriageway because it had the best balance of earthworks and, as it transpired, cost less than the other options. The statutory bodies including Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were consulted throughout these stages and provided feedback.

Jacobs delivered the detailed design and assessment of the preferred route in November 2017 when the period known as the Statutory Process commenced. At the same time, draft Compulsory Purchase Orders were made, allowing everyone to see the extent of land that will be required. The draft Roads Orders were also published giving the route of the proposed infrastructure along with the all important Environmental Statement (ES).

Details are here

There was then a period for objections to be lodged which closed on 23 January 2018. Now Transport Scotland has to engage with objectors to establish what can be resolved. If an objection from a statutory body cannot be resolved, a Public Local Inquiry will be triggered.

Objections concerning the battlefield were lodged by HES, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) and CNPA who all criticise the design because it fails to protect the special qualities and key characteristics of a nationally important asset. The site has a unique level of protection thanks to the Inventory of Historic Battlefields. The organisations that act as guardians of our cultural environment state that Jacobs/Transport Scotland have failed to justify the choice of route made back at Stage 2. Insufficient surveys have been done; data collection is questionable; spurious evaluations have been made. They even question if the designation of the historic battlefield has always been taken into account. In order to minimise impact on the battlefield – as Transport Scotland is required to do - HES says that realignment needs to be considered. See the Objections page.

Now we appear to be facing conflicting objectives. On the one hand is cost-effective infrastructure on the other is the protection of cultural heritage. What price are we putting on that? Ultimately the question may need to be resolved by a Public Local Inquiry. The Statutory Process has built the possibility into the timetable.