Question Two Analysis

Out of a total of 112 responses, 60 people answered this question.

The bullet points below provide a list of code descriptions in order from most commented to least commented for this question.

The total number of comments does not match the total number of responses, as there can be more than one code assigned to a response. The bullet points below show all of the comments that were derived from the coding exercise together with the number of comments, which are shown in the brackets. The paragraphs below provide more details about the themes identified

• Theme - Preferred Route Option Design (38 comments)
  • Comments about safety (12 comments);
  • Concerns about future traffic (8 comments);
  • Against the roundabout at Dunkeld (7 comments);
  • Comments about speed limit (6 comments); and
  • General support for the scheme/preferred route design (5 comments)

• Theme - Dunkeld & Birnam Railway Station (15 comments)
  • Concern around proposals for train station, including access (6 comments);
  • Suggestion for train station improvements, including mitigations/parking (6 comments); and
  • Comments about train station's car park (3 comments)

• Theme - Environment (20 comments)
  • Concerns about noise/pollution levels (7 comments);
  • Promote active travel (9 comments); and
  • Suggestion for active travel improvements (4 comments)

• Wider Project Related Comments (20 comments)
  • Wanting to see the project start soon/Timeline comments (6 comments);
  • Detailed questions (5 comments);
  • General objection to dualling the A9 (4 comments);
  • Comments about the Co-Creative process and its outputs (3 comments); and
  • Positive comments about event/engagement (2 comments)

Preferred Route Option Design

The majority of responses that contained support for the scheme were seen in question one, but when mentioned in question two, support related to how the Preferred Route will increase safety along with reassurance in the improvement of existing cycle paths.

Specific speed limits were mentioned in feedback responses, with two comments suggesting 70mph is too high for the A9, one comment saying a 20mph speed limit should be introduced on Perth Road, and a lower speed limit (such as 40mph) on approach to the Dunkeld Roundabout.

Safety concerns surrounding the Dunkeld Roundabout mostly consisted of the roundabout being at-grade rather than a grade-separated junction, seven such comments were made in question two.

Concerns about an increase in traffic, tailbacks and congestion as a result of the Preferred Route were mainly focussed on the proposed Dunkeld Roundabout. One response referred to a general increase in traffic during the summer months.

Details of these topics, and responses, can be found in Appendix J.

Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station

Comments relating to access proposals to the Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station featured concerns about the proposed pedestrian underpass and one comment referred to the inclusion of a lift at the station without an alternative provision, noting it to be a difficult for cyclists and wheelchair users.

Inclusion of electric vehicle charging, the expansion of the Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station car park (along with spaces allocated to local residents only) and raising the platform height were each raised once as potential improvements to Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station.

Details of these design suggestions, and responses, can be found in Appendix J.

Environment

Concerns were raised relating to noise and vibration levels during construction and increased pollution levels as a result of the Dunkeld Roundabout. Similarly with regards to the construction period, concerns about light pollution were raised twice and air pollution once.

Feedback related to active travel considered footpaths and the Inver lade underpass. In addition, feedback advocated to see the Preferred Route promote and improve safe active travel. Two comments suggested that the new pedestrian and cycle paths should be wheelchair and pram friendly.

Details of these topics, and responses, can be found in Appendix J.

Wider Project Related Comments

Similar to responses given for question one, respondents expressed their desire to see construction start and have an operational dualled A9 as soon as possible.

Five detailed design questions were asked with one respondent asking what steps will be taken to protect Red Squirrels in the Birnam Terrace area. A total of six comments were received in relation to the project’s timescale. These included expressing the opinion that the dualling should be completed as soon as possible or asking if some parts of the design, such as the Dunkeld Roundabout and Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station, could be completed as soon as possible.

Two comments were received sharing their positive feedback on the engagement carried out at both the in-person and virtual exhibitions.

Details of these questions, and responses, can be found in Appendix J.

Other

Out with the coding framework, we were able to identify respondents who had specific suggestions with regards to the Preferred Route including:

• Construction of the Dunkeld Roundabout as advance works/temporary roundabout;
• Installation of part time traffic lights at the Dunkeld Roundabout; and
• Prioritising noise, light and air pollution in the design development and assessment.

Details of these design suggestions, and responses, can be found in Appendix J.