A leading property group has raised fears that junction closures on the A9 after the road is dualled could be damaging to businesses and house prices.
Property advisers Savills have warned that a number of private tracks, which currently take direct access to the trunk road, will be closed on safety grounds when the road is dualled.
They have also raised fears that homeowners could be left in limbo until the final route of the upgraded road is announced.
Transport Scotland have pledged to provide alternative arrangements – but Savills have warned that these could involve significant detours, impacting surrounding properties and businesses.
The company have said that they have already lodged a number of complaints on behalf of clients after Transport Scotland’s plans have been exhibited the length of the road between Inverness and Perth.
Peter Series, a director at Savills, said: “Residents and business owners need to consider the effect the planned access closures would have.
“Landowners who own property on both sides of the A9 need to take particular note of these proposals as they could have a significant impact on the value of their property and the way their businesses function”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The Scottish Government’s commitment to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness is unwavering, and has been underlined in recent weeks with the first of three multi-million pound design contracts awarded, and the start of ground investigation work on the challenging Birnam to Tay Crossing scheme.
“As part of the dualling programme, we want to make the A9 safer with proposals to improve access to and from the road.
“These proposals were first consulted on last June and are now included as part of the public exhibitions currently being held in venues along the A9.
“These are providing us with the opportunity to discuss our plans with local communities in more detail, and identify any local issues.
“A lot of design and assessment work still needs to be done before we can finalise the scheme alignment, but sharing these route options now will ensure that any feedback is captured early.”
The project to dual the A9 between Inverness and Perth is due to be completed by 2025 at a cost of £3billion.
