Scot Lib Dems call for safety measures to improve Dunkeld junction on dangerous A9

Scottish Liberal Democrat lead candidate for Mid Scotland & Fife and local councillor Claire McLaren has today called for the Scottish Government improve safety measures at the Dunkeld junction on the A9.

The call comes after a series of accidents on the road.

Figures from Transport Scotland show that across the country in 2024:

• 161 people were killed on Scotland’s roads - an 11.8% rise from 2023.

• There were 5,734 total road casualties. 1,978 were seriously injured and 3,595 were slightly injured in road collisions.

• There were 495 child casualties, with 3 children killed and 160 seriously injured.  

Cllr Claire McLaren said:

"Everyone who lives locally knows that this junction can be dangerous.

"With continuous flows of traffic on the A9, vehicles accessing the road from both the Dunkeld and Amulree junctions are experiencing lengthy waits for a safe opportunity to join the A9. Eventually some inevitably get frustrated and take a chance, sometimes with devastating consequences.

“At the beginning of February, Fiona Hyslop officially opened the construction site for the Jubilee Bridge to Ballinluig, which is 1 mile north of the Dunkeld junction. There is now a further pressure on the Dunkeld junction as traffic is unable to turn north at the northern Dunkeld exit, and will therefore have to use the main Dunkeld junction.

“It has been eighteen years since the SNP came to power pledging action to improve our roads in the North and North East, yet they continue to drag their feet.  People deserve so much better. It's not good enough to say that Transport Scotland will take a look years down the line.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for dangerous trunk roads, including the A96, A9 and A90, to be upgraded a matter of urgency. That’s how we can keep people safe and encourage investment in more remote parts of the country.  

“In May, everybody in Perthshire has a chance to vote for change with fairness at its heart by backing the Liberal Democrats on the second, peach regional ballot paper. That’s how we can fix our dangerous roads and get Scotland moving again."