Transport Minister sanctions short-term safety measures on A9 by Newtonmore after fatal accident
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Safety is to be improved at three accident blackspots on the A9 in Strathspey and Highland Perthshire following a spate of fatal accidents in recent months.
The announcement came a short time after Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth chaired the latest meeting of the A9 Safety Group in Pitlochry yesterday.
She confirmed existing proposals totalling £95,000 will be invested into enhanced signage and road marking including at Ralia south of Newtonmore where three lives were lost in a crash with an HGV in August.
Upgrades will also take place on the A9 Ballinluig southbound and at the A9/B8079 junction at House of Bruar to further improve road safety after one of the worst spells in living memory for fatal crashes on the arterial route.
Transport Scotland chiefs have described the projects as 'short-term interventions' in advance of dualling works.
Ms Gilruth 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.
“As I outlined in parliament earlier in the week, the Scottish Government is firmly committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.
"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.”
The three people who were killed in the crash on the A9 near Ralia on August 10 were Kathryn Bastion-Strong (46), her husband Jared (45) and 75-year-old family member Mary-Lou Mauch, all from the United States.
The crash happened around 4.50pm and involved their car and a lorry.
