The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 25th April, Birnam Arts, 730pm. Please note change of venue. All welcome!
We now have a display of the Community Preferred Route at Birnam Arts, including information on the Community Objectives etc, on the wall upstairs in the quiet area. There are post-its there should folk want to make suggestions or ask questions.
We do hope that as many folk as possible were able to attended the Transport Scotland/Jacobs public consultation exhibition on 26th and Wed 27th March. For those who couldn’t manage or want to look again, all of the exhibition information is now on the TS A9 dualling website and will be open to comment until after the holiday period.
As well as the visualization and related information on the Community Preferred Route (CPR) voted for last June, certain information about an alternative or “comparator” route option may have been on display. As discussed in the Co-Creative Steering Group in late 2017, TS are required to show this to Ministers as well, particularly if there are aspects of the CPR which depart from the design standards which would normally be used on the A9 dualling, and that this would be done in a transparent way.
1.We have made it clear to TS that this transparency has to involve an agreed process of community engagement for the consideration of a comparator alternative; the exhibition may have been a start to that process.
2. The exhibition, as well as providing feedback to the community on the assessment of the CPR, is part of a continuing consultation; following it TS/Jacobs are doing further assessment based on comments etc received at and after the exhibition. They may well come back to the community again before submitting anything to Ministers.
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.comor to have your details added to our mailing list; also, at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it.
We have now heard from Transport Scotland/Jacobs that their public consultation exhibition about the Community Preferred Route will take place at Birnam Arts on Tues 26th and Wed 27th March, from 11am to 9pm each day (see poster). The exhibition information will also be on the Transport Scotland website from the Tuesday.
Because the week before the holidays is a busy one for many folk we are working with them to ensure that the consultation/feedback period runs until after the holidays. The Core Group met with TS/Jacobs representatives yesterday, on Mon 11th, to discuss the exhibition and their presentation of the buildability of the Community Preferred Route.
A reminder that the next regular meeing of the A9 Community Group will be on Thursday 28th March, 730pm at the Royal Dunkeld Hotel. This will provide an immediate opportunity to talk together about the consultation exhibition and we do hope for a big turnout.
We have also heard that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson MSP, will make a visit to meet Community Group representatives to learn about the co-creative process and the Community Preferred Route, and to see this section of the A9 for himself. We are in discussion with his office about the date, hoping that it will be as soon as possible.
Further to the welcome news of a £500 microgrant from the Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council, we are very happy to report our successful application to the Perth and Kinross Council Community Investment Fund for Strathtay Ward. Subject to formal approval by a Council committee, the award of £ 3440 for the period up to end September 2019 will enable us to continue to hold periodic community led engagement/drop in events and to have a part time Project Assistant to support the Community Group's administrative and communications activities. A particular focus of this funding will be to strengthen our community engagement work and address "inequality of participation" especially with those who have not yet been able to participate fully because of social/transport isolation and mental health issues, while doing more to engage young people.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 28th March, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome!
At the time of writing we were still waiting for confirmation of the date of the Transport Scotland/Jacobs public exhibition of feedback on their assessment and consultation regarding the Community Preferred Route from the co-creative process. Perhaps by the time you read this we’ll know.
Funding: We are grateful to the Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council for a further microgrant to cover the Group’s routine meeting and other continuing costs.
Tay Crossing to Ballinluig: Transport Scotland has replied to the Group’s formal objection to the proposed design of the new junction at Rotmell, which will not allow any traffic which goes up the old A9 to go north there; it will have to come through Dunkeld and across the Telford Bridge instead, adding to the traffic including HGVs - including environmental impact - which already does. Transport Scotland have said that they will not modify the new Rotmell junction design.
Luncarty to Pass of Birnam: Work preparing for the dualling of this stretch is well under way. The main responsibility for keeping communities informed about the work including speed restrictions and diversions lies with Transport Scotland and the main contractor Balfour Beatty, but we and the Community Council will help to pass on new information as and when we can. We hope to learn as much as we can from the dualling of this stretch, as well as Tay Crossing to Ballinluig in due course, to make our preparation and engagement for the construction phase of Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing as productive as possible.
also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it. Or just phone me!
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 28th February, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome!
Thanks again to the 100 or so folk who came to the "Big Decide" event in November. Those dropping in were able to see and discuss details of the Community Preferred Route for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing – also shown on a big screen “fly-through” visualisation which was very popular. Since last August Jacobs have been meeting with those living closest to the line of the Route as well as doing further assessment of how to build it, preparatory to presenting to Scottish Ministers for consideration. We now expect that Transport Scotland and Jacobs will hold a public exhibition towards the end of February to give feedback on their assessment of the Route and consultation work. It’s a bit later than originally expected but will be a very important step towards getting Ministerial approval. Then, on with the more detailed planning of the Route including associated pathways, cycleways, green bridges etc with plenty of opportunities for everyone to continue to be involved.
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.comor to have your details added to our mailing list; also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it. Or just phone me!
Two adjoining sections of the A9 Dualling programme are the location for further ground investigations starting next Tuesday (15 January). The work will take place on the Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie and Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore stretches of the A9 and is expected to last around three months. Some traffic management measures will be required when necessary to allow work on or near the carriageway to be carried out safely. This will include alternate single file traffic sections controlled by temporary traffic signals. The Contractor will continue to monitor traffic and take steps when necessary to ensure delays are kept to a minimum.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The first dualling scheme between Kincraig and Dalraddy has now been operating for some time and construction of the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section is due to start soon.
“At the same time, design work on the A9 Dualling programme continues at pace with eight of the nine remaining dualling schemes being designed now at draft Order stage.
“The latest ground investigations starting next Tuesday for two schemes totalling 13 miles along with other GI continuing on other sections after the holiday break is tangible evidence of the work going on to deliver this ambitious programme.
“We apologise for any inconvenience these works will cause and would thank road users and local communities in advance for their patience during the works. The contractor will closely monitor the operation of the traffic management measures to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 24th January, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm.
Thanks to everyone who came to the "Big Decide" event in November. We hope that by the time of our January meeting we'll have heard about the ministerial decision on the Community Preferred Route and can get on with planning what will surely be a very interesting 2019.
2018 has been just that, and more. It's been momentous and encouraging in so many ways for the A9 dualling project here and we thank everyone in the community who has taken part, in whatever way, and wish you all the best for Christmas and the coming year.
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
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Alasdair Wylie, Coordinator 01350 727361 ‘The Big Result’ Saturday 24th November 10-2, Duchess Anne Hall, Dunkeld.
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group Working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals.
A number of local residents have asked for information about the result of the "Big Decide" vote in June. The A9 Community Group will host a drop-in event at the Duchess Anne Hall, Saturday 24th November 10am - 2pm for anyone who would like to attend. Plans of the community's preferred route and other material will be available for those of you who were not previously involved, or for those who would like a reminder of the outcome. There will also be opportunities to comment on the Community Objectives following the result and to contribute to non-spatial design ideas for the area around the road.
Transport Scotland is doing further assessment and detailed design work and continues to consult with stakeholders who may be directly affected by the community’s preferred route. We are glad to see that Jacobs are now having one-to-one meetings with residents /stakeholders along the route and if anyone along the route hasn’t heard from them, please do get in touch, we're happy to help.
This consultation and design work will be used to inform the Ministers’ decision and it is hoped that the Ministers' decision on the preferred option for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing will be made by the end of 2018.
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com - and to have your details added to our mailing list, also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thurs 25th October at the Royal Dunkeld Hotel 7.30pm. All welcome!
Visit http://www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/32-communitynews/1022-a9-co-creative-news for the outcome of A9 Co-Creative Stage 5 vote.
Working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 25th October, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome!
below. Thanks again to everyone who took part!
Tay Crossing to Ballinluig: The A9 Community Group has lodged an objection with Transport Scotland because the design of the proposed new junction at Rotmell will not permit traffic to go north from the C502 (old A9) onto the dualled A9 there, and would result in significant additional traffic, including HGVs, through Dunkeld, on the Telford Bridge and at Dunkeld junction, with associated impact on the environment and local economy.
also at facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
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Hope you’ve all had a good summer.
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group - working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals.
Thanks to everyone who came along to the Big Decide on Sat 23rd June. We hope you found it a worthwhile morning.
It marked the culmination of great efforts from the community and the A9 Co-Creative to create a Preferred Route Option for the dualling of the A9 from Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing.
If you haven't already done so, there is still a bit of time left to cast your vote. Everyone's vote will count, and it is vital as many of you vote as possible.
To help you make your decision, visit http://www.a9co-creative.scot, or see the information at Birnam Arts. All votes must be received by midnight on 2nd July.
The "A9 Co-Creative" will officially come to an end in July, once the Preferred Route Option has been sent to Scottish Ministers, however the A9 Community Group is discussing how to continue work with Transport Scotland to get the best for the community during the further stages of the A9 dualling project here.
If you would like to keep up to date with this, please sign up to our email list at dunkelda9workinggroup@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.
We are still very keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in any aspect of the Community Group’s work, and also to have any suggestions on how we can better communicate both with the community and at our meetings!
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com - also to have your details added to our mailing list if you wish; also at facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 28th June, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm.
There will be lots to discuss, not only what we’ve achieved so far with the A9 Co-Creative process for Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing but - of course - what follows? All welcome!
The “Big Decide” event on Sat 23rd June at Birnam Arts is the most important yet in this community’s work with Transport Scotland, Jacobs and PAS. We do hope that as many folk as possible can come and take part.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 31st May, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm.
This will also be our AGM and everyone is welcome!
The “A9 Co-Creative” is a partnership process between our community and Transport Scotland, facilitated by PAS, to work together to create a preferred design for the dualling of the A9 between Pass of Birnam (where the present dual carriageway finishes at the bottom of the hill coming from Perth) and Tay Crossing (0.5 km beyond Jubilee Bridge).
Thanks to the many people who came to the drop-in sessions in March to see all of the design ideas submitted for the different junctions and the station, and the ideas for possible “offline” routes. Its great that even at this stage new folk are getting involved. It’s not too late!
The next step in the process is for the community to create short lists of ideas that will be taken to Stage 5. The May events will focus on our Community Objectives and how design ideas for each location might affect our community in different ways, both positively and negatively.
At these, you’ll be given the opportunity to have more in-depth discussion of individual locations and to score your preferred ideas for each of the different junctions and the station. This will directly influence the “Whole Route Options” to be considered at Stage 5. It will also be possible for people to participate in this important stage of the process on the internet.
This is a crucial stage and its important that as many people as possible get involved - a unique opportunity for everyone in the community to contribute to this major infrastructure project that will influence Dunkeld and Birnam community for years to come.
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com - also to have your details added to our mailing list if you wish; also at facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it. Or just phone me!
Birnam Institute Tuesday 1st May: Mainline On-line and Mainline Off-line ideas (4-6 pm and 7-9 pm).
Thursday 3rd May: Birnam Junction and Murthly Estate entrance (4-6 pm and 7-9 pm).
Saturday 5th May: Dalguise Junction (10 am-12 pm).
Saturday 5th May: Dunkeld Junction & The Hermitage (1 -3 pm).
Tuesday 8th May: Dunkeld & Birnam Station (4-6 pm and 7-9 pm).
Wednesday 9th May: Dunkeld Junction and The Hermitage entrance (4–6 pm).
Wednesday 9th May: Open Session (7-9pm) – all locations.
As ever, thank you for your continued support with the co-creative process, in particular all who came to the dropin events on 26th and 29th March and all those who came to last month’s outreach events in Amulree, Butterstone, Dalguise, Murthly and Inver. We have been overwhelmed with the response from the community, and the energy that continues to go into participating at all stages.
The “A9 Co-Creative” is a partnership process between our community and Transport Scotland (TS), facilitated by PAS, to work together to create a preferred design for the dualling of the A9 between Pass of Birnam (where the present dual carriageway finishes at the bottom of the hill coming from Perth) and Tay Crossing (0.5 km beyond Jubilee Bridge). The website is www.A9co-creative.scot; it includes a “Frequently asked Questions” section.
Community Group representatives on the project Steering Group have continued to work hard with TS, Jacobs and PAS to design an optimal process for gradually narrowing down the list of ideas in a way which is transparent, consistent with the objectives of the community and of TS, and responsive to community views.
In January, everyone in the community was invited to submit their ideas (over 160!) for the design of the road. Any ideas that weren't a dualling option or were unsafe were removed and duplicates merged. In late March, those remaining ideas – the long list - were on display at Birnam Arts for everyone to see and comment on.
All of the ideas that have been submitted can be tracked online at https://ideas.a9co-creative.scot/. This will be available throughout the process, so you can see which ideas are progressed for further consideration.
The next step is for the community to create a short list of ideas through detailed assessment against our community objectives. Be sure to keep an eye on www.A9Co-Creative.scot for details of forthcoming events where you can let us know which ideas you prefer. These events and chances to comment will also be advertised on local posters etc throughout the process which runs until June, so everyone still has a chance to shape the design of the road. Design ideas and options will be gradually explored, refined and filtered, with community involvement throughout, until we have 3-5 “whole route” options left for consideration in May. An agreed preferred option will be presented to the Cabinet Secretary in June.
We have sent a comprehensive briefing to all members of parliament and councillors for the area and will continue to keep them up to date on the co-creative activities, and have also provided a briefing to representatives of a community group interested in having a co-creative process for the dualling of a section of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 22nd March, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome!
We hit the ground running in 2018 and are very glad that over 100 folk were able to attend the Community Council’s A9 Dualling meeting on the 8th January. Thanks to those who came to the Community Group’s meetings at the Royal Dunkeld Hotel in December and January, and to the CG’s representatives on the project Steering Group for their continued hard work with Transport Scotland, Jacobs and PAS to design the Co-Creative process.
The “A9 Co-Creative” is a partnership process between our community and Transport Scotland, facilitated by PAS, to work together to create a preferred design for the dualling of the A9 between Pass of Birnam (where the present dual carriageway finishes at the bottom of the hill coming from Perth) and Tay Crossing ( 0.5 km beyond Jubilee Bridge).
The “A9 Co-Creative” now has its own website, www.A9Co-Creative.scot with background information and details of planned events.
The Co-Creative road design process started in January with drop in events (including creative workshops for children, facilitated by Children’s Parliament) and a workshop.
Thanks to everyone who came along to the events in January, which gave us the chance to find out more and discuss specific issues with specialist engineers. About 150 people attended three events.
Approximately 150 ideas were submitted at the first stage of the process, a great response, including ideas from children and young people in the area, who were able to take part in special workshops facilitated by the Children's Parliament, and at Breadalbane Academy.
Note: Don’t worry if you didn’t get to one of these. If you had previously given ideas for any part of the road design, for example at “Big Ask” day or earlier, all of these are being included and will be part of the process; and you can use the new website.
All ideas submitted are now being looked at. Any duplicates or unsafe options will be removed, but all others will be presented to the community to view and comment. If you didn't submit an idea, there is still plenty of opportunity to have your say and comment on any design suggestions throughout the process.
One of the most exciting features of the process is that if you have submitted a design idea, you will be able to track it online and find out whether or not it has been taken forward and the reasons for this. This will also be available on the new website (this feature still under development as we write in mid January), so keep an eye on it.
• Come along to Birnam Arts for an exhibition, or to drop in events on 26th and 29th March, where you'll be able to discuss all the ideas with specialists from the community, Jacobs and Transport Scotland, and feedback any thoughts you have on the ideas presented.
There will be events, activities and chances to comment throughout the process, which runs until June, so everyone still has a chance to shape the design of the road. Design ideas and options will be gradually explored, refined and filtered, with community involvement throughout, until we have 3-5 “whole route” options left for consideration in May.
A final preferred option will be presented to the Cabinet Secretary in June.
As there will be many co-creative events and activities going on in the coming months, we will now have CG meetings every second month, planned dates being 22nd March and 31st May. We’ll keep everyone up to date by email of course as well as through our “Bridge” reports.
Further information is available on www.A9co-creative.scot as well as on the “Bridge” website.
Or just phone me! Best wishes for 2018!
We’ve hit the ground running in 2018 and are very glad that over 100 folk were able to attend the Community Council’s A9 Dualling meeting on the 8th January. Thanks to those who came to the Community Group’s meetings at the Royal Dunkeld Hotel in December and January, and to the CG’s representatives on the project Steering Group for their continued hard work with Transport Scotland, Jacobs and PAS to design the Co-Creative process.
• Landscape and Environment: Protect and enhance the distinctive landscape and natural heritage of the area.
• Historic Environment: Preserve and enhance historical features, including the railway station.
These will be available at all community events, as they inform the whole process, alongside the Transport Scotland objectives. The detailed objectives were emailed to everyone on the CG list; please let us know if you’d like a copy sent.
As there will be many co-creative events and activities going on in the coming months, we propose that we change to having CG meetings every second month, with planned dates being 22nd March and 31st May. We’ll keep everyone up to date by email of course as well as through our “Bridge” reports.
One condition of the appointment of PAS as facilitator for the Co-Creative process was that the Community Group would select a community engagement facilitator who would be included in the PAS team. Hazel Allen of Athena Solutions has being appointed to this role, working with her associates Fiona Chalmers and Richard Heggie.
The “A9 Co-Creative” is a partnership process between our community and Transport Scotland to work together to create a preferred design for the dualling of the A9 between Pass of Birnam (where the present dual carriageway finishes at the bottom of the hill coming from Perth) and Tay Crossing (0.5 km beyond Jubilee Bridge).
The “A9 Co-Creative” now has its own website. Check out www.A9Co-Creative.scot for lots of background information and details of planned events. We shall continue to provide information by email as well, and on the A9 CG facebook page.
One of the most exciting features of the process is that if you have submitted a design idea, you will be able to track it through the process and find out whether or not it has been taken forward and the reasons for this. This will also be available on the website (this feature still under development as we write in mid January), so keep an eye on it.
We have continued to have regular briefing meetings with John Swinney MSP and have done an updated written briefing for all MSPs and Councillors.
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com - also to have your details added to our mailing list if you wish also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 25th January at the Royal Dunkeld Hotel. 7:30 pm. All welcome!
Thanks to everyone who supported the Big Ask on Saturday 11th November. Over 230 of you came along to comment and vote on what matters most to you for the A9 dualling process, through a set of draft community objectives. The Duchess Anne was buzzing with discussions, chats and questions about the community objectives, all helped along by live music and tasty food. The final objectives from the Big Ask will be used to underpin the co-creative process, which will inform the design of the road.
Children's voices are at the heart of this process. The Children's Parliament facilitated a creative project with the Royal School of Dunkeld, so local children could be heard and involved in the process. Stunning artwork brought colour to the hall, and was much admired.
Since the finalization of the agreement with Transport Scotland (TS) for them to appoint PAS as facilitator of the Co-Creative process, with conditions from the A9 Community Group (CG), things have moved fast.
A Programme Board (CG and TS) and a Steering Group (CG,TS, Jacobs and PAS) have been established and the Steering Group has met weekly since October, working on the design of the Co-Creative process.
The Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council are holding a public meeting about the A9 on Monday 8th January (7.30pm) at Birnam Arts.
Finally, we want to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year. Thanks to everyone for all your help and support this year.
We are very keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in any aspect of the CG’s work, and also to have any suggestions on how we can better communicate both with the community and at our meetings!
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it. or just phone me!
Two years since the February 2016 public meeting about dualling the A9, another public meeting organised by the Community Council will be held on Monday, January 8th at 7:30pm at the Birnam Institute. The purpose is to discuss developments over those two years as well as the immediate and unique opportunity everyone in the community will have to contribute to the design of a route for our stretch of the A9. The meeting is a chance to ask questions about what has happened or not happened, why, and what is planned for the first half of 2018‚Äîas well the next few years. Everyone is welcome and anyone who wishes to speak will be heard.
In some ways, little has happened in the last two years. We do not know where the road will go, how it will be built, and what the impact and implications are for all the communities in this Community Council area. One very important thing did happen. Transport Scotland did not decide for us where the road would go or how it would be built and what will happen to our train station. Instead, they have agreed to participate directly with anyone in the community who wishes to contribute directly to the design of the road, its route and its character. Those opportunities to contribute directly will occur here in Dunkeld and Birnam between January and May 2018. The opportunities will be facilitated by an independent organisation with a record of helping communities, Planning Aid Scotland. The opportunities will be part of a process for creating a road design that will be put to the Scottish Government for approval. We believe this is unique and has never happened in Scotland, nor probably in the UK. This is our best chance to get a road we can live with.
More detail will be available at the public meeting. In addition to opportunities later in January to submit ideas, there will be a box to receive your written comments or ideas about the A9. If you‚Äôre interested in the A9, please come on January 8th at 7:30pm to the Birnam Institute.
What's a Co-Creative Process? Put simply, the community will sit “round the table” with Transport Scotland over about five months in 2018 and will work through a process to identify, develop and evaluate preferred roads and junctions options for the A9 dualling project at Dunkeld and Birnam to Tay Crossing.
The Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group and Transport Scotland are working together to agree roads and junctions options for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the A9 dualling project. Download FAQ here.
Transport Scotland are working with our community to design and deliver a co-creative process to explore all options for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the A9 Dualling Project. This means bringing the community and Transport Scotland together, to achieve a preferred option for the community.
For the process to be co-creative, we need to decide what matters most to the community, and set this out in our community objectives. It is important that as a community we develop our own set of objectives, as these will inform options, propose solutions and create a vision for what we want from the dualling. Our objectives, with those of Transport Scotland, for dualling the A9, will then form the basis for the co-creative process. We want as many people to have their say as possible, at the outset of this important opportunity for the community to have a genuine say on the A9 dualling outcome. We have organised a programme of workshops and a community event to help do this.
Pop in to have your final say on the full set of draft community objectives. You'll be able to discuss the draft objectives, vote on your priorities and make any comments. There will be lots of music, food and children’s activities, so come along for a fun way to get your voice heard.
Thursday 23rd November, 7.30-9.30pm, Royal Dunkeld Hotel.
You can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com - and to have your details added to our mailing list, also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it.
Royal Dunkeld Hotel. 7:30 pm. All welcome!
After 2 years of hard work and ongoing discussion with Transport Scotland and Scottish Ministers, we are nearing the start of a Co-Creative process as the way to engage the community in developing joint options for the design of the A9 dualling between the Pass of Birnam and Tay Crossing. This new process reflects the expected improvements in public consultation, following recent changes to planning legislation. We anticipate the process will start its work with the community by January 2018 and conclude in the summer.
New community support staff: The A9 CG has appointed Elizabeth Leighton as project manager to support the community through the co-creative process. She will be joined by a Project Assistant, Helen Stockham, who will provide communications and administrative support. Elizabeth is an independent consultant based in Aberfeldy, experienced in facilitation, research, and community engagement. Helen lives in Birnam, and has worked on a variety of sustainability, community and digital engagement projects. You can reach either Elizabeth or Helen through the Community Group email - dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com.
Completing the Open Programme: We’ve had lots of people participate in the Open Programme sessions, which ran in early summer to discuss the key themes that emerged from our community survey in 2016. Everyone felt welcome to ask about and discuss issues, even if new to it all. Three events on active travel, local economy and safety are to come in October.
• What’s important to us?
• What would we like to keep the same and what do we want to change?
• What would be a successful A9 Dualling project?
• What should our community look like in 10 years?
These objectives will be a key input to the Co-Creative Process and sit alongside Transport Scotland objectives to inform discussions on dualling options.
During October we will reach out to groups, businesses and individuals who want to have their say –contact Elizabeth or Helen if you would like a presentation, workshop or just a 1:1 meeting to talk about the community objectives. We’re keen to work with you to make it easy to contribute.
All contributions will be gathered together for a big community workshop – for everyone! – planned for early November to discuss, debate and approve a final set of community objectives.
Questions? Comments? Contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com - and have your details added to our mailing list, also at facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group. Please Like and Share it. Or just phone me!
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Wednesday 27th September, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome!
HELP!: WE DO NEED MORE FOLK to help out with secretarial/admin tasks of various kinds; helping chair and take notes at meetings from time to time; and publicity/communications tasks. If you think that what the A9 Community Group is doing is important and can spare even occasional time, do please get in touch!
• The A9 Community Group core group met with Transport Scotland (TS) again on 18th July, together with PAS (Planning Aid Scotland), appointed by TS as facilitator for the Co-Creative Process. Our concerns about the appointment have still not been resolved, various options for the role of PAS were discussed at the 24th August A9 Community Group meeting, and there was to be another meeting with TS after that.
• Following the very positive visit of Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown in June, a detailed funding proposal has been submitted for Scottish Government support to pay for a project facilitator for (i) completion of the Community led Stage 1 of the Co-Creative Process and (ii) Stage 2 through the rest of the Co-Creative Process; and (iii) to pay for a Community Group Assistant.
• A first meeting of the “Solutions Group” took place in July, a forum for some Community Group members to share thinking about the A9 dualling design options.
• The second part of the Community led Stage 1 of the Co-Creative Process is also planned, for end September; this will conclude the Community Objective Setting stage and vision for the community.
• Work has continued with Children’s Parliament to bring together a stream of activity to inform the completion of Stage 1 and following parts of the Co-Creative Process, involving people from across the wider community.
or just phone me! Hope you’ve all had a good summer.
Transport Scotland has added a section to their website to load up information to support the co-creative process. At the first of the community open sessions (Cultural Heritage and Historic Environment, 12th June) they said they would load up the baseline environmental work done to date to provide supporting information. That work is now available at this location.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 24th August, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome!
Apologies for the last minute cancellation of the 22nd June meeting.
Coordinator: Alasdair Wylie; Deputy Coordinator: Mike Wolfe; Treasurer: Ken Davis; Secretary: Vacant.
• The Open Programme of community-led events in June to inform & involve everyone (details as in the June “Bridge”) has gone very well, with good feedback from community members and public body representatives who attended; thanks to all of you and them.
• The purpose of these events is to provide people with a space to be together to find out more about and discuss the issues that the 2016 Community Survey results showed that people cared about in relation to the A9 Dualling.
• If you or your local group would like to be involved in any of these events, please get in touch.
Windfarm fund) to cover basic costs for the last year.
• A first meeting of the CG “Solutions Group” was planned, to act as a forum for those who have been thinking about the dualling design options to share their thinking.
Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown visited on 1st June and spent time on the ground in Kindallachan and Birnam learning about the situation and some of the local issues which concern folk. It was a very positive visit and we hope that there will be some direct support from the Scottish Government to help fund our Community Objectives related activities in September as well as a continuing constructive dialogue.
TS of PAS (Planning Aid Scotland) as facilitators for the Co-Creative Process, without consultation on the appointment brief.
There will be another meeting during the summer.
continued support he has provided.
Or just phone me! Wishing you all a good summer and holidays.
You can download a copy of the events list by clicking here.
There is one change: Active Travel (Walking, Cycling) , Non-Motorised Users event was Monday 19th June, new date to be confirmed.
Open Programme: Your opportunity to find out more about issues you said you cared about in the Community Survey.
Each event will include short presentations about key issues, further information, Q&A and discussion.
• Natural Heritage: Habitats and Landscape – Wednesday 14th June, 8pm-9.30pm Birnam Arts.
More events to be confirmed, see posters & facebook updates.
If you or your local group would like to be involved in any of these topics or events in the programme, then please get in touch.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 22nd June, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm.
• The A9 Community Group has sourced funding to get going on a community-led stage of the process, the purpose of which is to find out more about what you said you care about in the Community Survey done last year.
• An Open Programme of events to inform & involve everyone starts in June. Please see above for information on the different events.
Please note: The Constitution of the Group provides for the election of four office bearers at the AGM: Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations for office bearers may be submitted to the Secretary before the meeting or at the meeting, to the email address below.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Wednesday 26th April, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm. All welcome! Thank you to all who managed to attend the March meeting and apologies for any inconvenience caused by the change in the previously advertised date.
A full update on the information provided and discussions held at the March meeting is available on this page.
We are very keen to hear peoples’ suggestions on how we can better communicate with the community!
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 23rd March, Royal Dunkeld Hotel, 7.30pm.
All welcome! It was great to see new folk coming along to recent meetings.
Thank you to all attending for your valued input.
• A second draft of the Co-creative Process plan (for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section) was received from TS. It needed further work especially to simplify process. Significant efforts were made to do so but the Community Group’s next version was not accepted by them.
• At a meeting on 16th Dec with TS and Jacobs, the Community Group representatives continued to feed back two concerns – that the process plan was not yet complete and agreed, and that the present document was too unwieldy to be an accessible communication (such as a leaflet) - a concern expressed clearly at CG meetings. This was a difficult meeting, however, there were some points clearly agreed and some constructive suggestions made.
• In particular, the need for a facilitator to be appointed as soon as possible was agreed, to assist the design, delivery and completion of the Co-creative Process. It was agreed that the Community Group propose possible candidates as soon as possible; those referred by TS by then did not demonstrate particular skills and experience in facilitation or design of participative decision making processes.
• Members of the Group worked up a list, did some desk based research and explored availability of two candidates recommended. A preferred candidate with facilitation as well as other key skills and experience emerged.
• A proposal paper for facilitation “next steps” for discussion with Transport Scotland went through due process and agreement with the Community Group at its January meeting. It has also been shared with “Planning Aid for Scotland”, with whom both CG representatives and TS are in touch, to see if they can play a role in the process.
• A request for a meeting between the Project Manager and the Co-ordinator of the Community Group was made in mid January to establish how we could urgently move forward more constructively and positively to the next steps. This took place on 7th Feb and it was hoped that a next meeting would be in the week beginning 20th Feb.
For the latest news update please go the The Bridge website at http://www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/community-council/a9-dualling or contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com, or at the facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
Ballinluig dualling project – part of the A9 Dualling Programme.
Transport Scotland officials and design consultants will be on hand to discuss the preferred option and answer any questions.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 23rd February, venue tbc, 7.30pm. All welcome!
For the latest news update please check this page or contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com, or at the facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
The Community Council has received a letter from Jacobs in response to the detailed submission to Transport Scotland compiled by the A9 Working Group on behalf of the council.
Following assessment work on the online and offline options for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig dualling project, it has been confirmed that the preferred option for dualling that section will comprise online widening of the A9.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 15th December at Little Dunkeld Kirk, 7.30pm. There will be a discussion about the latest version of the plan for the new Co-creative Community Engagement process, which will be circulated before the meeting. All welcome!
The following Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 26th January 2017, same place and time.
The election will be conducted at the next A9 Community Group meeting on Thursday 24th November, 7:30pm at Little Dunkeld Kirk.
Nominations for the office bearer positions can be sent to the Secretary at this email address at any time up to the date of this meeting. Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the meeting if none have been submitted in advance.
Co-Creative Community Engagement plan : Transport Scotland gave a broad acceptance of our proposal and of the timescale envisaged (for the time being, regarding the section from Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing) at a meeting in Birnam on 6th October, a major step forward.
Their first draft engagement plan with timescale was circulated to all Community Group members and discussed at the 27th October CG meeting, returned to Transport Scotland with comments and suggested edits and discussed again with them at a small group meeting on 7th November.
TS will have responded with a further version by 18th November which was discussed at the 24th November Community Group meeting. Further comments and suggested edits were returned to TS and are being discussed at a small group meeting in Birnam in early December.
The results of that meeting and the next version of the community engagement paper will be reported back to the 15th December Community Group meeting for further discussion and, we hope, finalisation.
We will keep everyone informed of developments by email and in The Bridge online.
Tay Crossing to Ballinluig section : At the time of writing (mid Nov) Transport Scotland’s advice is that a decision on the offline/online options is targeted for late autumn, “in the next few weeks”.
A9 Community Survey: The full survey report as well as the summary slide presentation are also available on the A9 Dualling page of The Bridge online. If anyone would like a hard copy, please contact us, details below.
MSP Briefings:We have continued to brief MSPs on the progress of meetings with Transport Scotland/Jacobs as well as on the community survey results, and appreciate very much the close interest they have taken in following up with Transport Scotland.
dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com and/ or come to the next Community Group meeting. Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 24th November at Little Dunkeld Kirk, 7.30pm. There will be an update on further discussions with Transport Scotland on planning for the Co-creative Community Engagement process, to which they have in broad terms agreed. All welcome!
A9 Community Survey: A well attended meeting on 15th September was given a first presentation of the main results of the survey, which had a tremendous 452 responses by 31st August and which has yielded a rich amount of information and opinion. A draft full report was shared at the Community Group meeting on 28th September and after further editing sent to Transport Scotland prior to meeting with them in Birnam on 6th October to discuss it.
The full survey report as well as the presentation are available on the A9 Dualling page of “The Bridge” online, link below. If anyone would like a hard copy, please contact us.
Thank you again to everyone who completed the Community Survey, helped at or stopped to talk at one of the pop up stalls, discussed with residents, and undertook data analysis and preparation of the presentation of results and of the full report.
The proposal, sent to Transport Scotland at the end of August, was discussed with them and Jacobs at a meeting in Birnam on 2nd September and again at the 6th October meeting. (Copy also available at The Bridge online). At the latter one, Transport Scotland indicated broad acceptance of the proposal and of the timescale envisaged (for the time being, regarding the section from Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing); this is a major step forward. We expect to have a next meeting with them in early November to begin to plan the new engagement process and will meanwhile keep everyone informed of developments by email and in The Bridge online.
If you want to get more involved or get more information please contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com and/ or come to the next Community Group meeting. You can also get information, documents and contact details for the Community Group at The Bridge website http://www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/community-council/a9-dualling or at the facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
There will be a Community Meeting on Thursday 15th September at the Birnam Hotel, 7.30pm, at which the results of the A9 community survey will be presented and updates given on discussions with Transport Scotland and Jacobs. All welcome! (Note: date changed from 14th Sept advised before).
Briefings of MSPs; Response from Jacobs to April submission by A9 Working Group; Technical meeting with Transport Scotland/Jacobs to review response and press for more meaningful engagement with community; Discussions with advisors on an improved engagement process; Continuation of leafleting for community survey; Pop up stalls in Dunkeld and at Birnam Arts; Discussions with residents closest to A9; Monthly meetings of Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group; Drafting of Constitution for Community Group; Regular meetings of Communications and Strategy Sub-Group Councillor and MSP Communications: Following constructive meetings with John Swinney MSP, Murdo Fraser MSP and Mark Ruskell MSP reported on in the June update, there has been a short verbal update to each of the MSPs and letters prepared updating them on the 29th June meeting with Transport Scotland/Jacobs and next steps proposed.
Meeting Jacobs/Transport Scotland: As previously reported, despite requests Transport Scotland/Jacobs had confirmed that they would not attend a public meeting. There was agreement to a smaller ‘technical meeting’ with the Community Group, which was attended by the Co-ordinator, Chair of DBCC, a couple of Comms & Strategy Sub Group members and lead contributors on each section of the submission that had been made in April. In the course of the meeting on 29th June it was possible to give just an impression of major outstanding concerns, remaining gaps and questions in relation to each theme (for example any assessment of health impacts), the stress, lack of awareness of residents (even immediately adjacent to the route) of the proposals (e.g. that junction proposals had quadrupled in the new proposals set out this year), and lack of provision of accessible information for all were all outlined.
Transport Scotland asked what was requested and directed to the headline request in the April Community Council submission (a request to which there had been no response) to work together to design a meaningful process to achieve workable solution.
However, as so much trust in the process had now been lost it was recommended that a proper participative process to deliver benefits for the community should be designed. This has political support and it was agreed that the Community Group would come back to Transport Scotland with a proposal and accompanied with a request to extend the timeline, should that be required. This has been sent.
It was explained that the community survey would be underway until end August and that survey outcomes and trends would be shared with the community, Transport Scotland and Jacobs in September after the survey closes.
Thank you to everyone who completed the Community Survey and/or helped at or stopped to talk at one of the pop up stalls. The survey will help inform the Community Group, but please do write directly to Jacobs/Transport Scotland as well with opinions, questions, concerns, ideas.
Volunteers to help with continuing pop up stalls will be welcomed.
Jacobs was trying to push a ‘participative’ process to take place to a very short deadline with a small number of people.
Meanwhile there have been urgent and thorough explorations on designing an appropriate proposal for better engagement with the community including dialogue with Planning Aid Scotland and a senior planning adviser. The proposal will have been discussed at the 25th August Community Group meeting before going to Transport Scotland.
If you want to get more involved or get more information please contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com and/ or come to the Community Meeting on Thursday 15th September, Birnam Hotel, 7.30pm.
You can also get information and individual contact details for the Community Group on the Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
The Community Group would like to express a huge thanks to those of you who were able to come to guided walks, meetings in June, or who have otherwise contributed so far. Huge apologies to anyone who has missed out on any updates due to technical problems with our mailing list – we are getting these sorted!
Following the Community Meeting on 18th May, and with support from Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council, the Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group (the Community Group) has now been set up to represent all those who may be affected by the upgrade of the A9 from the Pass of Birnam to Ballinluig within the community council area, and seek to get the best possible outcome for the community as a whole. Since the community meeting and ongoing through the summer, our big push is to get as many responses as possible to the community opinion survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/a9dualling as possible.
Please watch out for coffee mornings, street stalls and other activity happening throughout the summer promoting the survey, sharing information and hearing views. The Community Group has been gathering local knowledge and tapping into expertise to help interpret the maps and provide information that is useful and accessible. If you can help, with cups of tea or engineering experience, please let us know.
Jacobs and Transport Scotland have not yet fully provided the information requested at the Public Meeting in February or addressed the local issues they have been asked to consider in the submission from the Community Council. Members of the Community Group are due to meet with Jacobs, Transport Scotland, as well as some local MSPs, by the end of June.
In the meantime, you may be aware from posters and press, that a new offline option has been proposed on the east of the northern section (Tay Crossing to Ballinluig) which would affect the community particularly from Rotmell to Guay. Residents who would be adversely affected are campaigning against this new proposal, which would take both carriageways up the hill. The impact of the online proposals on the flood plain, residents and local business on the northern section also continue to cause concern. We can't emphasise enough how critical a time this is and how much your views count. Please share your opinions anonymously through the community survey; online or hard copies can be provided. This will enable the Community Group to best represent the views of the community.
Please do remember that if you have particular questions or concerns, it is helpful if you can share them in the community survey – but do not hesitate to also contact Jacobs on: A9dualling@jacobs.com directly so that your questions or concerns can be addressed as part of the formal process.
You may want to copy your thoughts to your MSPs and Councillors too. It is easy to find out who all your representatives are on writetothem.com Recommendations will have been made by the end of June and decisions on the proposals are imminent.
If you want to get more involved – please do! – email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com and/or come along to the Community Group meeting on Wednesday 27 July 7.30pm (venue tbc). We will hold a bigger meeting to update the community on Wednesday 14 September 7.30pm (venue tbc).
For further information, and to find individual contacts for the Group, please email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group.
Two guided walks have followed the proposed routes and changes of the A9 dualling project and looked at the impact it would have on key areas around Dunkeld & Birnam. “I found both walks incredibly useful in translating what the plans will mean on the ground and I’m still coming to terms with the fact that the new Birnam junction will be taller than the current Ballinuig flyover!” said Lindsey Gibb one of the walkers.
On 18 May around 100 local people met in the Birnam Institute about the A9 dualling. The meeting, organised by members of a community working group, was to provide an update on progress since a public meeting with Transport Scotland in January. The working group are very grateful to everyone who came along and shared their views, donated and volunteered to help.
On behalf of the Community Council, the working group had put together a detailed submission to Transport Scotland outlining a range of concerns and requests. The A9 dualling will have a huge impact on many different aspects of the local communities, including noise, human health and air quality, flooding risk, ecology and the natural environment, public transport, non-motorised users, and culture and historic environment.
These local issues have not been considered properly in the process. Transport Scotland needs to agree a realistic process to work in partnership with the community to address these issues and then to revisit the options.
This is a critical time. According to Transport Scotland's timetable, the decision on a preferred option was to take place in June - this is not acceptable.
A9 dualling is going to have an impact on you and your community. Whatever you think you can offer, whether it's a donation, involvement in the working group, or your expertise as a structural engineer, you can make a difference!
Join the Dunkeld A9 Dualling Group on Facebook for regular updates.
The key themes in the submission, where we are seeking further information, relate to the overall character of the local area, potential for varying road standards in this area, noise, public health and air quality, flooding risk, ecology and the environment, public transport, history and culture and non motorised users. We are also seeking a better understanding of the decision making process and how the local community can continue to be a vital, cooperative part of such process. A large amount of supporting information has also been presented.
The document was sent to Transport Scotland and local councilors, and will be sent to other stakeholders and to MSPs and ministers (following the Scottish parliament elections on 5th May).
If you want a copy of the document, or any further information, please contact Stuart Paton (dunkelda9workinggroup@gmail.com) on behalf of the Community Council. We have also set up a Facebook page - click here or search "Dunkeld A9 Dualling" on Facebook.
Dates of forthcoming meetings will be provided on this website, through Facebook, The Bridge and posters.
Background information is available through the Transport Scotland website: http://www.transport.gov.scot/project/a9-dualling-perth-inverness.