The A9 Trunk Road (Thurso) (Temporary Prohibition on Waiting, Loading and Unloading) Order 2024
The Scottish Ministers give notice that they have made the above Order under sections 2(1) and (2), 4(1) and 14(1)(a) and (4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which will have the effect of temporarily prohibiting vehicles from waiting, loading and unloading on that length of the M9/A9 Edinburgh – Stirling – Thurso Trunk Road from its junction with Traill Street, Thurso in a generally northwards direction on Olrig Street to its junction with A836, a distance of 1.1 kilometres or thereby
The Order, which is required because works are being proposed to be executed on or near the road, will be in operation from 27th October until 15th November 2024 and will only have effect in relation to such part or parts of the length of road as is indicated by the appropriate traffic signs.
The Order does not apply to a vehicle while being used in an emergency for fire brigade, ambulance, police or coastguard purposes or vehicles being used for carrying out the works.
Alternative routes
An alternative route is not required.
For information about roadworks on motorways and trunk roads visit Traffic Scotland.
A member of the staff of the Scottish Ministers
Transport Scotland
George House
Glasgow G1 2AD
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for The A9 Trunk Road (Thurso) (Temporary Prohibition on Waiting, Loading and Unloading) Order 2024
Disclaimer
This documentis a point in timeassessment of the likely effects of (The A9 Trunk Road (Thurso) (Temporary Prohibition on Waiting, Loading and Unloading) Order 2024) on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people. This impact assessment should be read in conjunction with parliamentary/strategic decision-making process prepared for this proposal.
Scottish Government acknowledge the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of strategic decisions and legislation on children’s rights and wellbeing. Any information gathered during implementation of the legislation or strategic decision to which the impact assessment relates, will be used to inform future determinations of impact. Any new strategic decision or new legislation (including amending legislation) would be subject to a new CRWIA in line with the legislative requirements.
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment Template
Introduction
- Brief Summary (Guidance Section 3.2, page 20).
Type of proposal
(Please choose from either Bill, SSI or Decision of a strategic nature relating to the rights and wellbeing of children)
Applicable answer: SSI
Name the proposal, and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.
Key Term Definitions
Prohibition – to officially and legally not allow something.
Authorise – to give official permission for something to happen, or to give someone official permission to do something
That the M9/A9 Edinburgh – Stirling - Thurso Trunk Road (Temporary Prohibition on Use of Road) from its junction with Masons Lane, Thurso in a generally southwards direction in Traill Street to its junction with Sir George’s Street and Sinclair Street, a distance of 105 metres or thereby. This means that no person may use or authorise the use of any vehicle on that specific length of road. The only exception being for emergency vehicles and those within the parade. The closure of this section of the M9/A9 it to facilitate the safety of participants and viewers of Thurso Remembrance Day Parade.
Start date of proposal’s development: 10/09/2024
Start date of CRWIA process: 10/09/2024
- With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which aspects of the proposal are relevant to children’s rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 20-22).
During the closure of this section of road there will be no impact on children and young people’s ability to access school and/or childcare facilities, higher or further education institutions, hospitals, places used for recreational activity, and places of worship as this is for a short period of time on a weekend. The only aspect relevant to children and young people both directly and in-directly is the positive impact of protecting public safety by restricting use of this section of the carriageway for a period of 3 hours for the public to engage in the parade. All local access routes around the closure will remain open and access for emergency services will be maintained at all times.
There was the potential for freedom of association to be impacted, however this right is impacted as a result of the event taking place in itself and is therefore outside the scope of this CRWIA. The road closure merely allows for the safe running of the event so this was also ruled out again with article 6 being the only potential impact identified.
- Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal. (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 22-25).
From:
- existing research/reports/policy expertise
- consultation/feedback from stakeholders
- consultation/feedback directly from children and young people
Mapping routes show that the following facilities are not impacted to be accessed by children and young people or their families, carers, representatives etc. as a result of the closure, Miller Academy Primary School, Three Harbours Surgery, Thurso Bowling Club, Thurso Leisure Centre, Caithness Rugby Club and Thurso Library. While there is the potential for them to be impacted with them being close to the stretch of road affected by the order, there are however no issues or restrictions to access them as a result of the closure.
None of these facilities are directly accessed from within this section of road and all local access routes remain open with a short diversion available, and pedestrians are still able to access all venues by foot. Additionally, the event is well publicised and is taking place for around 3 hours on a weekend when some of these facilities are closed. Therefore, this order is not relevant to any restrictions to articles 14, 24, 28 or 31. Local access routes remain open and a short diversion around the closure is available, the event is well publicised and is taking place for around 20 minutes on a Sunday morning. Additionally, pedestrians are still able to access all venues by foot.
To ensure the safe running of this event, parts of the M9/A9 road will be closed for twenty minutes. Therefore, when reviewing all UNCRC requirements, the only article this order relates to is article 6, which should be positively impacted by the closure of the stretch of road.
Statistics show a decrease in the number of road traffic incidents in recent years and while we know that this looks a much broader range of incidents than those cause what this order looks to impact alone, contributing to the reduction of road traffic incidents through this order and many like it will have a positive impact on children’s right to life, survival and development.
With UNICEF reporting in their child and adolescent road safety technical guidance that ‘road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents aged 5–19 years’ we look to reduce chances of this in Scotland by contributing to the improvement of road safety.
- Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed (Guidance Section 3.2, page 26).
Not Applicable
- Analysis of Evidence (Guidance Section 3.2, page 26).
Mapping evidences showed that no facilities would have reduced access as a result of this order so allowed us to rule out impact to articles associated with this such as articles 14, 24, 28 and 31.
- The statistics and guidance mentioned above demonstrate the risk children and young people in particular face in relation to road safety. As this is an A road, not closing this road was identified to have potentially dangerous consequences and therefore has the potential to have an increased risk for children and young people. Therefore the evidence allowed us to conclude the positive impact closing the road would have on article 6. What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 26)
Not Applicable
Conclusion
- As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 26-27):
(Please choose from positive, negative, neutral or no impact, Please note you can have both a positive and negative impact on children’s rights.)
Children’s Rights
Applicable answer(s): Positive Impact
- If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland. (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 27-28).
- As this is an A road, not closing this road was identified to have potentially dangerous consequences and therefore has the potential to have an increased risk for children and young people. Therefore there was the positive impact closing the road would have on article 6 was identified. If a negative impact has been identified please describe below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 28-29).
Not Applicable
Mitigation Record
What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate negative impact or potential incompatibility issues?
Please summarise mitigation actions taken below
Issue or risk Identified per article/ Optional Protocol
Not Applicable
Action Taken/ To Be Taken
Not Applicable
Date action to be taken or was taken
Not Applicable
- As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 29-30).
(Please choose from yes, no or not applicable)
Applicable answer: Safe
If yes, please provide and explanation below:
Safe
As this is an A road, not closing this road was identified to have potentially dangerous consequences and therefore has the potential to have an increased risk for children and young people. Therefore it is determined there would be a contribution to the safe wellbeing indicator.
- How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 31)
The CRWIA will be published and has been written in accessible language so as to allow for children and young people to understand its content and the potential impact on their rights.
Post Assessment Review and sign-off
- Planning for the review of impact on children’s rights and wellbeing (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 31).
As part of the decision-making process, plans for reviewing the impact on children’s rights and wellbeing need to be developed.
- How will the impact of the proposal on children’s rights and wellbeing be monitored?
- When will you review and update the CRWIA if required?
Due regard will be given as to the development of any new facilities surrounding the closure area which has the potential to impact children and young people.
- Sign off (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 31-32).
Policy Lead Signature & Date of Sign Off: Graeme Paget 09/10/24
Deputy Director Signature & Date of Sign Off:
Date CRWIA team first contacted: 23/09/2024