Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing
The A9 is Scotland’s longest trunk road and a key connection between the Highlands and the Central Belt. As part of the national A9 Dualling Programme, the section between Pass of Birnam and the Tay Crossing will be upgraded from single to dual carriageway.
This section is one of the most sensitive parts of the programme, passing directly through Dunkeld, Birnam and Inver. Its design has significant implications for local communities, the environment and the character of the area.Below is the objection submitted by Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council in relation to the A9 proposals affecting our area.
Community-led design: the Co-Creative Process
In 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between the Community Council and the Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. In 2018, Transport Scotland worked in partnership with the Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group on an A9 Co-Creative Process.
This open, community-led process allowed residents to shape proposals for this section of the road and resulted in a Community Preferred Route Option (CPRO), voted on by over 700 participants.
The community also agreed a set of objectives, including:
- Reducing noise and pollution
- Protecting the landscape and natural heritage
- Improving safe access across and along the A9
- Supporting sustainable economic growth
- Enhancing walking, wheeling and cycling routes
- Maintaining and improving public transport
- Preserving the area’s cultural and historic character
These objectives remain central to how the community evaluates current proposals.
Current proposals
Transport Scotland identified a Preferred Route for this section in 2023 following further design and assessment work.
While some elements of the Community Preferred Route have been included, there are significant differences, particularly around Dunkeld & Birnam Station.
Most notably:
- The A9 is proposed to remain at existing ground level (“at grade”)
- The community-supported option to lower the road and reconnect the station has not been taken forward
- As a result, key community objectives, especially around accessibility and connectivity, are considered by many not to be met
Current status
- Statutory consultation closed in July 2025
- Transport Scotland is currently preparing responses to objections and representations
- Further clarification and engagement is ongoing
Subject to completion of statutory processes:
- Procurement is expected to begin in Summer 2028
- Construction contract award is anticipated in Spring 2029
- The scheme is expected to be operational by the end of 2033
Community Council position and correspondence
Below is the objection submitted by Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council in relation to the A9 proposals affecting our area.
As a statutory consultee, we considered the available information and local feedback before submitting our response. For transparency, we are also publishing the subsequent response received and our follow-up correspondence.
We believe it is important that residents can see the full exchange and understand how we are representing community views.
Community Council objection letter (July 2025)
Key points raised included:
- The proposals represent a significant departure from the Community Objectives and Co-Creative outcome
- Concerns about the lack of meaningful engagement since 2018
- The statutory consultation was too short and overly complex to allow fair participation
- The design risks negative impacts on the character of the area and local economy
Community Council full objection letter
Transport Scotland response (December 2025)
Transport Scotland provided a detailed response to the Community Council’s objection, setting out its position on the design, consultation process and assessment of impacts.
Key points include:
- The scheme has been developed in line with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), using a structured assessment of engineering, environmental, traffic and economic factors
- The Co-Creative Process and Community Objectives were considered, but balanced alongside wider programme objectives and technical constraints
- The selected Preferred Route (Option ST2D) was chosen as offering lower environmental impact, reduced construction complexity and improved access compared to alternatives
- Transport Scotland states that extensive consultation has taken place since 2018, including public exhibitions, engagement events and an extended statutory consultation period
- The statutory consultation period was extended to eight weeks, with supporting materials including a non-technical summary to aid accessibility
- Environmental assessments conclude that:
- Noise effects are expected to be beneficial for many properties, with mitigation measures included
- There will be loss of some ancient woodland, although compensatory planting and biodiversity measures are proposed
- Landscape and visual impacts are expected but reduce over time with mitigation planting
- The scheme includes grade-separated junctions and crossings, intended to improve safety and connectivity for vehicles and non-motorised users
- Improvements to walking, cycling, public transport access and station connectivity are included within the design
- Transport Scotland considers that the scheme meets both national A9 objectives and local Community Objectives overall
- It confirms that it is not proposed to revisit the route option assessment that led to the current Preferred Route
Transport Scotland’s response in full
Follow-up response from Community Council
In its follow-up correspondence, the Community Council confirmed that:
- No part of the objection has been withdrawn
- Concerns remain about:
- adequacy and fairness of consultation
- lack of clear responses to community questions
- failure to properly address Co-Creative outcomes
The Community Council also requested:
- Clear justification for not revisiting route options
- Full transparency on decision-making and design constraints
- Direct answers on key unresolved issues, including:
- Station access and reconnection
- Loss of ancient woodland
- Noise impacts and mitigation
- Bus stop locations
- Responsiveness during consultation
Follow up response in full from Community Council
Update: Public Local Inquiry
A Public Local Inquiry (PLI) has been launched for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the A9 dualling programme.
This follows a significant number of objections to the proposed £478 million scheme, which forms part of the wider £3.7 billion A9 dualling programme.
Objections have been submitted in relation to four separate planning applications connected to the project and have not been withdrawn. As a result, the scheme has been referred for further consideration through the statutory process.
Transport Scotland has confirmed that it is continuing to review the issues raised:
- It is working to properly consider all matters raised by objectors
- It aims to resolve concerns where possible
- The inquiry will examine unresolved objections as part of the decision-making process
Referral to the Scottish Government
On 23 March, the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) was asked to consider four related applications:
- The A9 Trunk Road (Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing) (Trunking) Order
- The A9 Trunk Road (Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing) (Side Roads) Order
- The A9 Trunk Road (Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing) Compulsory Purchase Order
- The A9 Trunk Road (Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing) (Extinguishment of Public Right of Way) Order
These applications have been referred under the Roads (Scotland) Act due to objections being received and not withdrawn.
What this means
The Public Local Inquiry is a formal stage in the statutory process and will allow objections to be considered in detail by an independent reporter.
Only once this process is complete, and if the scheme is approved, can the project proceed to construction.
Why this matters
This section of the A9 is not just a national infrastructure project, it directly affects the daily lives of people in Dunkeld, Birnam and surrounding communities.
Ongoing engagement reflects the importance of ensuring that the final design:
- Balances national transport improvements with local quality of life
- Properly reflects the outcomes of the Co-Creative Process
- Responds meaningfully to community concerns