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Maintenance of junction road markings is typically the responsibility of the authority whose road connects with the trunk road. In most cases on the A9 this is the local authority. The exception is acceleration and decelerations lanes, which Transport Scotland maintains. Notwithstanding this, since January 2023, Transport Scotland has collaborated with local authorities to improve junction markings on the A9.

Recent road marking improvements have included:

• Ousdale
• Geiselittle
• Cambusavie Bends
• Berriedale
• Deephaven
• South of The Mound
• North of Glenmorangie
• North of Struie
• B9169 Junction
• North of Hilliclay
• Achalone
• Alness to Tomich
• Inverbrora
• South of Inverbrora

Bollards are included in an annual cyclic maintenance programme. Our records show maintenance was undertaken between May and September 2023. More recently maintenance commenced in April 2024 with more planned in the coming months.

Programmes of routine maintenance on all trunk roads are developed based on need and are delivered on a prioritised based within the limits of available funding. On occasion other programmes of work, for example road safety, may recommend works that upgrade trunk road signage and road markings.

A number of schemes have been completed on the recently through this budget as part of a package of short term works to improve safety prior to the dualling of the remainder of the A9. Cyclic maintenance is also carried out across trunk roads. This work including grass cutting at junctions to keep visibility splays clear and bollard cleaning to maintain their reflectivity.

The following list highlights a diverse range of schemes currently being prepared for the A9:

• A9 Pitlochry Hospital signs – sign renewal in advance of the southbound off slip and the northbound off slip to Pitlochry. This work is provisionally programmed between 29-04-24 and 03-05-24.
• A9 Inshes countdown signs – replacement of countdown marker signs in advance of the Inshes junction (northbound off slip). This work is provisionally programmed between 27-05-24 and 31-05-24.
• A9 South of Bogbain junction ditching. This drainage work is provisionally programmed between 08-07-24 and 12-07-24.

Additional routine maintenance schemes may be developed and delivered this financial year. This will depend on feedback from weekly inspections and perceived need.

Eight temporary electronic variable message signs have been deployed on the A9 between the Birnam and Moy, which display a number of road safety messages to drivers. These include “Don’t Drive Tired” and “Don’t Use Mobile Phones When Driving” to encourage responsible and considerate driving, as well as “Drive on the Left” in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian to assist visitors from overseas. For 2024, these signs were installed during the last week in March and will be in place until the start of November to cover the main tourism season. The estimated cost for installing and maintaining the signs in the 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 financial years is £155,439.57 excluding VAT. The use of these signs on the A9 in future years will be considered through Transport Scotland’s ongoing assessment of the safety performance of the trunk road network.

Maintenance of junction road markings is typically the responsibility of the authority whose road connects with the trunk road. In most cases on the A9 this is the local authority. The exception is acceleration and decelerations lanes, which Transport Scotland maintains. Notwithstanding this, since January 2023, Transport Scotland has collaborated with local authorities to improve junction markings on the A9.

Recent road marking improvements have included:

• A9 Killiecrankie to Faskally Duals,
• A9/B9006 Culloden Road – Inverness,
• A9 Killiecrankie to Drumochter,
• A9 Drumochter to Crubenmore,
• A9 Luncarty Junction Slips.

Bollards are included in an annual cyclic maintenance programme. Our records show maintenance was undertaken between May and September 2023. More recently maintenance commenced in April 2024 with more planned in the coming months.

Rather than a set routine maintenance schedule, the programmes of routine maintenance on all trunk roads are developed based on need within the limits of available funding. The information that drives the programmes comes from a variety of sources, such as the regular safety inspections, the annual condition inspections and reports from the public.

Other work streams such as Strategic Road Safety can also develop schemes that contribute to the improvement of north west trunk roads if the investigation of accident statistics highlights problems at specific locations, including junctions. A number of schemes on the A9 junctions have been completed recently through this budget as part of a package of short term works to improve safety prior to the dualling of the remainder of the A9.

Cyclic maintenance is also carried out across trunk roads including grass cutting at junctions to keep visibility splays clear and bollard cleaning to maintain their reflectivity.

The following highlights the diverse range of schemes being prepared for the A9 this financial year and the schemes that have been undertaken recently.

• A9 Spittal – proposed design of new footpath link to community hall (2024-25). Associated signing and road marking upgrades. Construction subject to available funding (from 2025-26 onwards).
• A9 Tore Roundabout – traffic modelling assessment currently being progressed by an external consultant on behalf of the Transport Scotland Bus Partnership Fund. Possibly future investigation/design work to introduce signal control at the roundabout to be taken forward by our Operating Company BEAR Scotland. Awaiting confirmation of 0802 funding to determine if any work can progress in 2024-25.
• A9 Scrabster – investigation proposed 2024-25 to improve non motorised user access around the harbour area (subject to available funding).

As Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy, I have recently taken on responsibility for this matter from the former Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights. The NBHS, as it stands, prohibits the use of direct emissions heating in all new buildings only, from 1 April 2024, and in certain types of conversions where reasonably practicable. We recognise that heating for emergency use will be needed and the NBHS permits fixed systems which may include woodburning stoves for emergency use where this is justified – this is in direct response to feedback from rural communities recognising concerns about supply.

Portable heaters are not within the scope of building regulations and therefore do not need to be referenced in a building warrant application. Accordingly, we would not seek to provide a suggested list. Those considering portable appliances for emergency heating will decide what common products and solutions are most relevant for their circumstances. However, we have heard the concerns raised over the past few weeks about the use of woodburning stoves, particularly in emergency situations, and are taking these fully on board. Initially, we are considering what further clarity is needed in guidance to address those concerns and will work with concerned parties, developers and Local Authorities to ensure any updates to the existing technical guidance address this comprehensively.

The Scottish Government has had no engagement to date with the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland (RoS) or the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR) in relation to any application to register a title to the MacLeod Estate.

If any ownerless land were to be identified then it would be at that point that any consideration of applying to take ownership would be made.

Following receipt of the proposed scope for the peer review, the Scottish Government asked NHS Shetland and Orkney to extend the scope to include representation from relevant patient groups involved with the previous review of the application process, which was led by NHS Western Isles. This is an important part of ensuring that concerns on the escorts approvals process can be appropriately considered.

This part of the review has not yet concluded and Officials have asked the Boards to confirm by the end of March as to when the output will be available.