Meeting minutes - 9 October 2024 - A9 Safety Group
Attendees
- Fiona Hyslop MSP - Cabinet Secretary for Transport
- Joanna MacKinnon - Private Office
- Stuart Wilson - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
- Morag MacKay - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
- Rab Bain - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations (TEAMS)
- Graeme Paget - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations (TEAMS)
- Laurence Campbell - Transport Scotland – Major Projects (TEAMS)
- Danny Chalmers - Transport Scotland – Communications
- David McKenzie - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations
- Nicola Clark - Transport Scotland – Roads Operations (Minutes)
- Insp Donnie MacKinnon - Police Scotland – North Command
- Insp Colin Morrison - Police Scotland – TS liaison
- Tracey Parker - Safety Cameras Scotland (North)
- Stuart Geddes - BEAR Scotland North West
- Pat Shields - Amey North East
- Colin Simpson - Cairngorms National Park Authority (TEAMS)
- Lisa MacKellaich - The Highland Council (TEAMS)
- Neil Greig - IAM RoadSmart (TEAMS)
- Alexandra Herdman - Logistics UK
Apologies
- Martin Reid - Road Haulage Association
- Paul White - Confederation for Passenger Transport
- Mike Duncan - Federation of Small Businesses
- Ch Insp Richard Ross - Police Scotland – North Command
- Michael Grant - Police Scotland – East Safety Camera Unit
- Craig Daly - Perth & Kinross Council
- Michael McDonnell - Road Safety Scotland
- Eric Dunion - Safety Cameras Scotland (rep by Tracey Parker)
- Daryl McKeown - Perth & Kinross Council
- Grant Campbell - Prosper
Group members invited but not in attendance
- David Buick - Stagecoach Ltd.
Welcome and Introductions
Welcome extended to all attendees from Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP.
Opening remarks
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the importance of the A9 as a strategic route for Scotland and thanked members for their continued efforts.
The Cabinet Secretary advised that yesterday she had updated parliament on the allocation of record £36 million for Road Safety. Noted a number of Road safety measures have been introduced to the A9 and there is a growing interest in this issue/ group and road safety in general. The Cabinet Secretary will be having cross party meetings to update members on progress.
Updates on short term measures
Road Safety Scotland – Stuart Wilson
Two campaigns previously funded to address “fatigue” and “drive on the left”. Although these were national campaigns a high percentage of coverage was targeted at the A9 with a large number of campaign assets such as wrist bands and leaflets distributed.
The group were asked for any suggestions as to how we can repeat and build on these campaigns and it was acknowledged that the above issues are still relevant to recent incidents. Ms Hyslop raised the issue of tourists arriving on long haul flights and then immediately driving hire cars when they may be jet lagged. Work is being done to liaise with Consulates but this is an issue which could be raised further through campaigns. Ms Hyslop is interested to hear how local authorities might respond to requests to create facilities for rest and EV charging points.
BEAR Scotland (NW) – Stuart Geddes
The group were updated on progress to deliver the engineering short term measures which included some images of the improvements made to date. Substantial progress has been made with all schemes either designed programmed or completed. Ms Hyslop suggested that it would be helpful if information could be made available as to when each section was completed so that users can see the progress. Stuart Wilson pointed out that a progress report was being created for inclusion on the group website and that it might be beneficial to establish how effective road users thought the measures were.
Route updates
Perth to Scrabster (BEAR NW) – Stuart Geddes
Provided a summary of the extensive road safety investigations and improvements delivered and planned for the route. - These include junction improvements at Ralia and Sir Walter Scott Drive, Inshes, Dunkeld/Inver, Georgemass Junction, Tore roundabout, Skiach and Raigmore. Video surveys have been undertaken at the Ralia and House of Bruar junctions with the reports on results being finalised.
The Structures and Bridges Team have a portfolio of approximately £1.86m worth of improvement schemes on the A9 this financial year. Higher value schemes include Spey River Crossing and Moy rail expansion joint. The Routine Maintenance Team have completed a number of schemes valued at approximately £110k including drainage improvements near Deephaven and Ballinluig. There are further works to be completed during FY 2024/25 with an approximate value of £675k.
Stuart Wilson clarified with Stuart Geddes that the programme of short term measures was on track for completion by the end of March 2025. He also said that sharing images of improvements via the website could be helpful. Ms Hyslop asked whether this summary represented an increase in spend on the A9 compared to previous years and Stuart Geddes confirmed that investment through BEAR had approximately doubled in the last 2 years.
Neil Greig suggested publicity/ sharing of the reports on videos surveys of turning traffic would be helpful. This will be considered.
Dunblane to Perth (AMEY) – Pat Shields
Typical issues observed on this section relate to turning at junctions and farm accesses. A number of road safety schemes have been planned and progressed including barrier and sign upgrades at the Aberuthven junction and installation of Vehicle Activated Signs to warn vehicles on the A9 of turning traffic, additional signage to warn of queuing traffic at Inveralmond roundabout and a conflict study at Keir roundabout to identify causes of collisions there. Routine investment is planned for Ash die back and pavement replacement next financial year.
In concluding this part of the meeting Ms Hyslop asked if the subject of using cruise control and not being actively engaged in driving on long journeys could be considered for inclusion in any future campaigns.
Update from group members
Police Scotland update – Insp MacKinnon
Noted 5 road deaths on A9 since the last meeting of the group with 8 road deaths since the start of the calendar year.
These collisions have a variety of contributory factors from the “fatal 5” including impairment through drink/drugs. Many are still ongoing enquiries and further details cannot be shared.
Some of the incidents have involved foreign drivers and there have been good examples of effective action by the Crown Office including one case where a foreign driver was remanded in custody pending court proceedings. Liaison has been taking place with the American Consul to see what more can be done for visitors from there next year.
The A9 is a priority route with Police units there every day and enforcement is key to changing driver behaviour with fixed penalties and court proceedings. To date this year since 1st April over 2000 vehicles have been stopped with 562 offences coming to light including 24 for drug driving, 154 speeding offences, 15 dangerous driving, 47 careless driving, 24 mobile phone offences, 58 no insurance offences and 184 other offences.
Officers are also visiting tourist locations to distribute safety campaign messaging and resources.
A dedicated vehicle patrols the route with a specific focus on heavy goods vehicles.
Stuart Wilson advised that Transport Scotland are currently looking at technology to enforce offences relating to distraction (mobile phone usage) and seatbelt offences.
Ms Hyslop raised that 18% of vehicle deaths not wearing a seatbelt – this needs to be highlighted and addressed as does the issue of prescription medication can have on fitness to drive.
Logistics UK – Alexandra Herdman
The logistics sector is often impacted by the closures caused by incidents with an impact on business. Rather than causing the issues as they have to take mandatory rest breaks which reduces fatigue HGV drivers are impacted by them. Members often raise the issue of speed limits as they see other vehicles overtaking and not realising that HGVs are subject to lower speed limits. With a wide membership Logistics UK can assist with sharing any campaign or road safety messaging.
Safety Cameras – Tracey Parker
Two new temporary average speed camera systems on A836 on NC500 and A82 Loch Lomond have been installed. These systems do not rely on mains power and offer more flexibility. Discussions are taking place regarding average sped cameras for the works to dual the Tomatin to Moy section.
Neil Greig raised the issue that it has to be made very clear when ASC are off or on at road works locations. Laurence Campbell pointed out that the temporary speed limits at road works must be adhered to whether cameras were enforcing or not.
Ms Hyslop highlighted that as well as the direct impact of serious collisions there is often an impact through disruption to others due to closures and diversions. She asked that resilience arrangements for this be a focus of attention.
Cairngorms National Park Authority - Colin Simpson
Mentioned an area of works near to Tomatin which has a temporary 30mph limit but during the day there appears to be no works ongoing which can cause frustration. Ms Hyslop invited Laurence Campbell to comment if appropriate in relation to the dualling contracts as part of his update on A9 Dualling.
The Highland Council – Lisa MacKellaich
Road safety update due to be published soon and road safety is a key part of the council’s transport strategy. The council are delivering seven road safety schemes this year and are considering applying for Road Safety Improvement Funding next year to be used to improve side roads approaching A9 junctions. Formal consultation on 20mph speed limit plans is about to launch.
IAM RoadSmart - Neil Greig
Neil Greig pointed out that this will be his last meeting as he is retiring and he will be replaced on the group by Stewart Mackie who has been appointed to a new road safety role. Ms Hyslop thanks Neil for his contribution to the group over the years.
A9 Safety Group Website
Stuart Wilson advised that as a means of improving communication with the public a new A9 Safety group website has been developed to replace the existing site which is out of date. The new site will retain all the links to publications and also link to the separate site which provides information regarding the dualling projects.
Attendees were then given a live demonstration of the pages and content of the new site which will be hosted on the Transport Scotland internet pages. Visitors to the old site will be automatically directed the new site.
Ms Hyslop asked the group for agreement to make the new site live. This was agreed and Transport Scotland are to take the final steps to make the new site live and public.
Noted that general road safety resources on overtaking for example should also be available on the general road safety as they are not specific to the A9.
Neil Greig asked that consideration be given to continuing the reporting on safety performance on the route in particular speed limit compliance.
A9 Dualling update
Laurence Campbell provided a brief summary of progress on the A9 Dualling Programme noting the following, the most of which has been reflected in recent news;
As confirmed in a news release this week the main construction work for the Tomatin to Moy project is due to begin in Spring next year with preparatory works commencing later this month. These preparatory works will include construction of works accesses, erection of boundary fencing and establishing welfare units. These operations will require traffic management measures on the local road network. It is also expected that overnight traffic management measures will be implemented on the A9 commencing from early November for a period of approximately 6 weeks. Further information on these measures will be published on the A9 Dualling website (a9dualling.scot).
A ground investigation contract has been awarded for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig and Pitlochry to Killiecrankie sections of the A9 Dualling programme. This will provide information that bidders for each of these contracts can use in developing a competitive tender. The ground investigation work is expected to commence in the next couple of months and to last for around 18 weeks. Traffic management measures may be required on both the A9 and local side roads to ensure the safety of road users and workers, and information on these measures will be made available ahead of any restrictions being implemented. We will endeavour to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
In August, three contractors were shortlisted as bidders for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig contract and the tender process is continuing currently, with all three fully engaged in the process.
The design development of the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing project is continuing to allow the completion of the statutory processes for this project, and public engagement events to present design updates for the project were held in August in Birnam Arts Centre.
In answer to the earlier point raised by chair [regarding driver behaviour at temporary traffic restrictions south of Tomatin, which remained in place during daytime for what appeared overnight works, where drivers where quickly accelerating out of the coned area] he confirmed that Transport Scotland’s construction contracts for many years now have included requirements for consultation on traffic management measures, including with Police Scotland and local authorities representatives, as part of ensuring such measures are in line with best practice, appropriate and justified for the works proposed. He confirmed that the A9 dualling contracts will have the same requirements to endeavour to minimise disruption and driver frustration.
AOB
Danny Chalmers highlighted that there is an opportunity for messaging to be shared with members for their own comms teams to circulate.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Ms Hyslop thanked everyone for attending with the next meeting to be scheduled for around six months’ time.
Actions arising
- Road Safety Scotland to consider how use of cruise control and fatigue leading to collisions could be accommodated into future campaigns.