Murdo Fraser MSP has written to the Transport Secretary to ask for an explanation as to why “inappropriate” routes were used to divert traffic following a fatality on the A9 Perth to Inverness road.
Police Scotland confirmed that a 49-year-old man tragically died after a four-vehicle collision on the road near Ballinluig on November 19. The fatality led to northbound traffic being diverted via the A822 at Dunkeld, then the A826 and the A827 before rejoining the A9 north of Ballinluig. Meanwhile, southbound traffic was diverted on the A924 to Bridge of Cally, A93 to Blairgowrie and then the A923 to Dunkeld before rejoining the A9.
Mr Fraser decided to write to Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, to ask why these routes were chosen and also after he was contacted by some constituents who pointed out that emergency vehicles would not have been able to attend if any other accidents had taken place on these routes.
Commenting, the Scottish Conservative politician said: “My condolences are with the family and friends of the man who tragically died as a result of this horrific collision on the A9. Yet again it highlights how dangerous this road can be.
“The diverted routes that were chosen were totally inappropriate. I am very concerned at the routes that were chosen for diverting traffic, with this stretch of the A9 being closed for almost 10 hours. There are reports of hundreds of motorists being stranded in freezing conditions due to the nature of the diverted routes.
“BBC Scotland reported that it took a 71-year-old motorist almost four hours to travel from Pitlochry to Blairgowrie - a distance of almost 24 miles. This gentleman told the BBC that there were scenes of ‘gridlock’ with articulated lorries and coaches re-routed away from the A9 being unable to pass each other on the diverted route.
“These diverted routes – being between 26 and 36 miles long – were totally inappropriate and questions must be asked as to why they were used given the amount of traffic involved and also the inclement weather we are currently experiencing.”
Mr Fraser continued: “I have been contacted by concerned constituents who also made the point that emergency vehicles could not have got through on the diversion routes which could have caused a second tragedy. We need a detailed explanation from the Transport Secretary as to why these routes were used.”
