AUGUST 2019 PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS Perth Transport Futures Project - Phase 2 - Cross Tay Link Road Summer 2019 Public Exhibition Events Questions & Answers

The Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) is the second phase of Perth Transport Futures Project. Perth & Council appointed design consultants Sweco in July 2017 to progress the specimen design of the CTLR and prepare the planning application and supporting documentation. The specimen design is prepared to sufficient detail to allow a planning application to be prepared. The detailed design is then to be completed by the contractor who constructs the road. The specimen design has now been completed, and it is proposed to submit the planning application for the CTLR in November 2019. Further information about the project is available online at the project website, www.perthtransportfutures.co.uk/cross-tay-link-road.

The Council’s Roads Infrastructure Team, as the Developer for the project, along with representatives from Sweco, held public exhibitions as part of the statutory pre-planning application process. These events provided local people with the opportunity to view and comment on the developed design, which showed the work undertaken since the last public exhibitions which took place in Spring 2018.

The following events were held:

21 August 2019 – Memorial Hall (2pm – 7pm) 22 August 2019 – Scone Robert Douglas Memorial Hal (2pm – 7pm) 27 August 2019 – Town Hall (2pm – 7pm) 28 August 2019 - Perth Civic Hall, 2 High Street (2pm – 7pm)

The events were attended by approximately 380 people consisting of residents, Community Council representatives, local Elected Members and contractors interested in tendering for the contract. Local Community Council representatives also attended the events in advance of them opening to the public.

Many questions about the proposals were asked and answered at the event. However people were also encouraged to provide feedback through paper forms or online via a Survey Monkey digital form, or if preferred, by letter or email after the event. The deadline for submitting comments was 20 September 2019.

Given the number of comments raised and questions asked, rather than reply to individual queries on a case by case basis, the questions have been collated and answers given in this ‘Q & A’ document. This ensures that all questions that have been asked are visible to everyone.

The questions and answers are listed below and, where applicable, proposed actions are detailed. Q1 Q3

Is all funding in place now to build the road? Is it possible to have more than one ‘green bridge’? If not, why is the one proposed at ANSWER the location in Highfield? Yes, the Council approved £78 Million of ANSWER capital funding in June 2016. The Scottish Government confirmed their contribution of The location of the green bridge at Highfield £40 Million in January 2019. The overall has been selected carefully and was scheme budget is £118 Million and includes all dependant on the surrounding topography, costs associated with the project. path network and usage. The proposed bridge is located at a point where the new road is well below existing ground level Q2 meaning that there is no need for large embankments to carry paths up and over the Can the road be built sooner? new road. This minimises the footprint of the bridge and allows the connection to be at ANSWER existing ground level, making it more natural The Council is progressing the project as and effective. This is the only location where quickly as it can, taking into account the the topography provides this opportunity. statutory processes that have to be followed. The programme for getting the project to site is dictated by how long the land purchase Q4 process takes. The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the land was due to be Can lighting be included on the shared use published earlier this year but because of the cycle/foot path, making it more appealing review of the alignment of the CTLR between and seem safer for use at night? the A93 and A94 it was delayed. It will now ANSWER be published in November 2019. This was raised by a lot of people at the The Council’s current programme allows for events and as a result the design team are the worst case scenario where objections to now investigating the potential to incorporate the CPO are received and cannot be resolved, lighting along the shared use cycle/foot path. resulting in the requirement for a public local There are environmental concerns with inquiry or hearing. Allowing for this, works providing street lighting over the full length in are programmed to start on site in Autumn this rural area, however there are options for 2021. If a public local enquiry or hearing is more sustainable and subtle ground level not required, it may be possible to bring this solar lights to be provided. If possible, the date forward. aim is to include lights in the final detailed design.

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers

Q5 Q7

How long will we need to wait for Phase 3 to What is the impact of the CTLR on traffic link the CTLR to Phase 1 through the levels on the A94 and A93 north of Scone? development at Bertha Park? ANSWER ANSWER The outcomes from the Opening Year traffic Phase 3 of Perth Transport Futures Project modelling suggests there will be an increase in links Phases 1 and 2, and responsibility for traffic on the A94 north of the CTLR of around providing it lies with the Bertha Park 12% over the course of the day. On the A93 developer. The developer is required to have corridor north of the CTLR, the modelling it in place if more than 750 houses are built. suggests there will be an increase in traffic of The timing of this is therefore very much 51% over the course of the day. These figures dependant on the housing market. are extracted from the Transport Statement which will be part of the planning application submission. Q6

Is the closure of Stormontfield Road Q8 necessary, and what length is the diversion for traffic using that section of Stormontfield Will the CTLR generate more Heavy Goods Road just now? Vehicles on the A94 and A93 north of Scone?

ANSWER ANSWER

The CTLR will provide a better and safer The outcomes from the Opening Year traffic access to Perth Racecourse, the caravan park modelling suggests there will be a slight and to Stormontfield than exists at present. decrease in the numbers of HGV movements Once the CTLR is in place there will be no on the A94 north of CTLR of around 8% over need for the junction from the A93 into the course of the day. On the A93 corridor Stormontfield Road, as access can be taken north of CTLR, the modelling forecasts there via the A93 and the new roundabout, will be a slight increase in the numbers of HGV providing an improvement on the current sub- movements of around 15% over the course of standard junction design. This section of the day. Stormontfield Road will remain accessible for non-motorised users and for vehicular traffic use during major events in the area, with a temporary traffic management plan in place. In comparison with the current route via Stormontfield Road, a road user travelling to and from the Stormontfield area will travel an extra approximately 2.1 km per journey as a result of the CTLR project.

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers

Measure not yet installed include: Q9 1. Puffin crossing on Main Street, scheduled for installation Autumn 2019; If traffic levels are projected to increase on 2. Public consultation is already underway the A94 and A93 north of the CTLR, what is for a 40mph speed limit buffer on both the Council planning to do to ensure that this approaches on A94 to at east and does not compromise road safety and air west of the village (and on B954 south of quality in the communities on this route? village); Can we have average speed cameras? 3. The first phase of a signing strategy, ANSWER involving upgrade of all direction and warning signs, from Meigle to Longleys is The traffic modelling undertaken for the CTLR scheduled for Autumn 2019; and shows an increase in traffic in peak periods on 4. The second phase of a signing strategy the A94 and A93, but daily traffic flows are from Coupar Angus to Woodside is being still within the capacity of the road. However designed and is scheduled for Winter it is not the intention of the project to make 2019/20. matters worse for local villages and measures to alleviate potential impacts are being Average speed cameras are not appropriate investigated by the Council’s Traffic & for use on a route that has a significant Network Team. Some measures have already number of changes to the speed limit. As been implemented to improve road safety on above, more laybys are being installed for these routes, and more are being considered. deployment of safety camera vans. Measures already installed include: Changes to traffic flows when the proposed

1. Signalised junctions, with pedestrian CTLR Project becomes operational will have a crossing facilities installed on Forfar Road, beneficial effect on annual mean NO2, PM10 Coupar Angus; and PM2.5 concentrations at the majority of

2. Lay-by installed east of Coupar Angus for locations assessed, in the Perth AQMA deployment of safety camera van by particularly within the Perth City Centre and Safety Cameras (partnership at Bridgend. Where the modelling has between Transport Scotland and Police predicted an adverse impact the magnitude of Scotland); change is described as ‘Negligible Adverse’ for

3. Lay-by installed east of Meigle for all pollutants. deployment of safety camera van by Safety Cameras Scotland; Based on the air quality assessment, it is 4. Lay-by installed west of Meigle for concluded that the proposed CTLR Project deployment of safety camera van by would have an overall negligible (beneficial) Safety Cameras Scotland; effect on air quality with regards to human 5. Puffin crossing installed on Main Street, health which is not significant. ; 6. Vehicle-activated signs installed at Balbeggie, Burrelton and Meigle;

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers

Transport Scotland. The Council will continue Q10 to liaise with Transport Scotland on how the projects can be taken forward both in the short term and as part of a longer term Is anything being put in place to prevent rat approach. running via Denmarkfield and into Luncarty via the private road? This is a concern as it has occurred during the current A9 dualling works. Q12

ANSWER Is consideration being given to linking the CTLR to the A90 east of Perth? The access road to Denmarkfield is being designed as a single track road with passing ANSWER places to ensure that it is appropriate for the level of traffic using it and to ensure that it is The need for the CTLR came out of a wide consistent with the private road to which it ranging consultation exercise with numerous leads. This single track road will be a shared stakeholders in 2008. A range of projects and space for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. schemes was considered at the time, some of There will be a road hump on the entrance to which were taken forward and some which this access road to provide a ‘gateway’ into it were not. This process eventually led to the and to discourage vehicles from using it as a development of the Perth Transport Futures rat-run into Luncarty. Project which is currently progressing. At no time was there ever a proposal to take forward a project linking the proposed CTLR Q11 to the A90 east of Perth. At this present time there is no compelling traffic reason to take this forward, but that is not to say that might Are there any plans to improve the need to be considered at some future point in Inveralmond Roundabout given that the time. CTLR will generate more traffic through this already congested roundabout?

ANSWER Q13

Traffic congestion is an existing issue at both Can a barrier be included between the road Inveralmond and Broxden roundabouts. and the proposed shared use cycle/foot Transport Scotland is aware of this, and the path? Council has worked constructively with Transport Scotland to identify improvements ANSWER that could be made to these junctions. As far as the Council is aware, these works are not A barrier is not proposed between the road programmed at present. and the shared use cycle/foot path. Instead, this path is set back 3 metres from the nearest It is anticipated that improvements at these traffic lane. The original set back was 2 metres two roundabouts will be considered within but has been increased to 3 metres, following the new Strategic Transport Projects Review the feedback received from the public and which is currently being undertaken by non-motorised users. The paths have also

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers been set back away from the road wherever expected on this active travel route. The possible. However this is not possible predicted level of usage along the CTLR - throughout the CTLR as the path would need derived from existing flows along routes - to follow the existing shape of the indicate that a shared use environment, and as a result, path gradients pedestrian/cycleway is appropriate NMU would be too steep in places to meet usable provision along the CTLR. The segregation of standards. the cycle and pedestrian facilities would also take up a greater area making the The scheme has been assessed for the environmental and land-take impacts more provision of barrier using the Road Restraint significant than the current proposals. This Risk Assessment Process (RRRAP) that is a cannot be justified given that a shared use requirement for Motorway, All Purpose Roads facility can provide adequate capacity. and other Classified roads with a speed limit of 50 mph or above. From this assessment the section of the scheme which has the Q15 highest speeds also has the vast majority of barrier in the project, which, in this case is the Why is there no bridge or underpass crossing realigned A9 dual carriageway and its slip for pedestrians and cyclists in the Scone roads. The CTLR which has a speed limit of 50 North (H29) development? mph in comparison with the 70 mph speed limit of the A9, has very little requirement for ANSWER barrier across its length. As the CTLR also makes up the vast majority of roadside non- The section of the CTLR through the Scone motorised user (NMU) provision for the North (H29) development has been designed project, there is little scope to justify the so that it will initially be subject to a 50mph provision of barrier placed between the road speed limit when there is no development on carriageway and the shared use NMU facilities this section of the CTLR. Once the CTLR is in given the negative effect it would have on place, the number of cyclists and pedestrians cost, visual impact and maintenance crossing the CTLR will be low, much less than requirements. In the limited number of is required for a bridge / underpass crossing locations where there is a requirement for or even for a traffic signal controlled crossing barrier and there is an adjacent NMU facility. cycleway/footway we will place the barrier on However, due to the number of concerns the roadside of the cycleway/footway. raised on this issue the project will include Toucan crossing facilities at all roundabouts, including in the Scone North area, on the CTLR

Q14 to assist with crossing.

Can the shared use cycle / footpath be The design of Scone North and how it segregated to separate pedestrians and interfaces with the CTLR will be managed cyclists? through the detailed design and planning process for the development. ANSWER

Segregation of the shared use cycle/foot path is not required due to the levels of usage

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers

Q16 Q18

Can the active travel routes be extended into Why is the Council building roads, when, Perth to make it easier to walk and cycle into instead it could implement low emission the city? zones, increase parking charges, invest more in public transport and cycling ANSWER infrastructure?

Phase 4 of Perth Transport Futures Project is ANSWER intended to address this issue. Phase 4 aims to deliver various infrastructure projects that The CTLR is part of Perth Transport Futures will facilitate a shift towards greener travel Project (PTFP) which forms part of the modes in Perth and the surrounding area. Many of these proposals are only possible strategy for Perth’s transport system. The aim once the CTLR is in place to free up capacity of PTFP is to facilitate the sustainable on the city’s roads network. These proposals economic growth of Perth while also include Park & Ride facilities and public realm addressing traffic congestion and air quality improvements as well as improved cycling and issues in the city and surrounding area. Phase pedestrian facilities in the city. The Council 4 of PTFP will consist of projects which will has already secured funding from Sustrans to facilitate and encourage a shift towards more commence with the provision of better cycling infrastructure on the Road corridor sustainable modes of travel in and around the as part of its Perth, People, Place Initiative. city including cycling infrastructure, Park & Ride sites and public realm improvement schemes. These projects can only be made Q17 possible as result of the CTLR given the positive impact it will have on freeing up road Will the road have an impact on air quality at space in the City Centre. Scone Palace and the caravan park?

ANSWER Q19

Changes to traffic flows when the proposed What measures are being proposed to CTLR Project becomes operational will have a mitigate predicted increases in noise for beneficial effect on annual mean NO , PM 2 10 existing properties along the route of the and PM concentrations at the majority of 2.5 CTLR? locations assessed, particularly in Perth city centre and at Bridgend. At receptor locations ANSWER where an adverse impact is predicted, the magnitude of change is described as The majority of noise sensitive receptors ‘Negligible Adverse’ i.e. only a very small within the study area are not predicted to increase in concentrations. experience significant effects. For the small number of residential and commercial properties which are predicted to have significant effects, mitigation within the design is proposed.

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers

Q20 Q22

Why is noise mitigation not being provided Will the road drainage systems cause for the future development at Scone North? flooding of existing water courses (e.g. Crammock Burn)? ANSWER ANSWER Noise mitigation is not required as part of the CTLR scheme as the receptors to the noise The project is subject to a full flood model and (the houses in Scone North) do not exist yet. flood risk assessment. This ensures that the This issue will be addressed in the road infrastructure will not negatively affect Environmental Impact Assessment which will flooding in the CTLR corridor and surrounding accompany the planning application for the area. Drainage systems are being designed to CTLR. The assessment of the development current guidance with allowance for climate and provision of noise mitigation is for the change, two levels of pollution treatment and developer of Scone North to address and flow control which limit the out-flows into agree with the Council as Planning Authority. local watercourses to a level equivalent to a green field run off.

Q21 Q23 What measures are being proposed as part of the CTLR project to ensure reductions in How are you going to prevent there being traffic speed on the southbound approach to increased usage of the very narrow the new roundabout on the A94? Stormontfield Road after opening of the CTLR? ANSWER ANSWER As part of the CTLR project, revisions are proposed to the speed limits on the approach Residents of the Stormontfield area have to Scone from the north on the A94. A raised this issue at previous consultation reduced speed limit of 40mph is proposed events. The design of the traffic signs will from a point north of the New Mains address this issue with signage to be included development to the Scone Park & Ride discouraging use of this route by large roundabout. The road will also be narrowed vehicles. by removing the climbing lane currently in place in this location. These measures, together with the introduction of the Q24 roundabout, where the CTLR meets the A94 will help to reduce traffic speeds in this Can a Park & Ride facility be provided at section of the A94 on approach to Scone. Stormontfield Roundabout?

ANSWER

Park & Ride facilities are proposed as part of Phase 4 of Perth Transport Futures Project. Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers

Stormontfield Road is not currently being Guidance for Local Air Quality Management considered as a location for a site, and it is (TG16). unlikely to be considered in the future given its proximity to the strategic transport routes and the proposed Park & Ride site at Bertha Q26 Park. Why is the Council proposing to close the crossing of the A9 by core path LUNC/124? Q25 ANSWER

How will the Council monitor air and noise Pedestrians are currently able to walk across pollution in the future along the route of the the four lanes of the A9 dual carriageway at CTLR to ensure that levels are as predicted? the Denmarkfield junction between core ANSWER paths LUNC/102 and LUNC/124, despite there being no crossing infrastructure. Also the core Local authorities in the UK have a path network is not continuous over the A9 in responsibility under Local Air Quality this location (there is a gap between the two Management (LAQM) legislation to review air core paths either side of the A9). quality. Where concentrations exceed national objectives, measures should be put in The pedestrian crossing strategy for the place to reduce emissions, and be reported in design of this section of the A9, as agreed the local Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP). One with Transport Scotland, is to minimise at- of these measures could include monitoring; grade pedestrian crossings (crossings with no however, the EIA is not predicting an bridge or underpass) of the dual carriageway. exceedance of these objectives along the This is in keeping with the strategy for the A9 route of the CTLR. Dualling Project as a whole. Therefore it has been agreed with Transport Scotland that A monitoring regime is something that will be only one at-grade pedestrian crossing will agreed as part of the Contractor’s remain (the existing one at the bus requirements for this Project. This would be stops) and will be improved. This is discussed and agreed as part of their approximately 500 metres north of the appointment and in consultation with the Denmarkfield junction and is used much more Council’s Environmental Health Department. frequently by pedestrians than the Denmarkfield location. Air Quality and Noise will have been assessed and appraised as part of the planning A grade separated junction is also being application process. PKC would only proceed provided approximately 500 metres south of with further assessment and/or monitoring of the Denmarkfield junction with facilities the newly built road if there was a significant allowing pedestrians to cross the A9 safely. change in the predicted overall traffic flow, Both of these crossing points will be linked to layout or if new exposure (i.e. residential the Denmarkfield junction via a new path properties) is introduced along the route or network. It is the Council’s view that meets any of the other criteria for roads set pedestrian crossing facilities are being out in the UK Government’s Technical improved as part of the CTLR project however it is acknowledged that there are significant

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers diversions for a low number of pedestrians who currently cross the A9 at the Denmarkfield junction.

Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 2 – Cross Tay Link Road August 2019 Public Exhibitions Questions & Answers