Cairngorm National Park chiefs want to protect A9 Highland gateway
Transport Scotland is being urged to reduce the landscaping impact of the dualled A9 at the entrance to the Highlands
Consultations are underway on the Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie section which includes the gateway to Badenoch and Strathspey and the wider region.
Cairngorms National Park planning officer Sandra Middleton stated in a report to go before the authority’s planning committee: "The project runs through Drumochter Pass, which is unquestionably one of the most dramatic features along the entire route.
"The landform encloses the east-west views by the steep sides of the pass but with longer views to the hills. In this context, fit with land form - or potential to fit with land form - is important in reducing the landscape impact on all sections."
She continued: "Mitigation planting and habitat enhancements along the corridor could contribute significantly to strategic landscape and habitat connectivity through this part of the park and the split carriageway sections could have a substantial role in achieving this.
"Realising this outcome could take decades, but in the context of the lifespan of the dualled A9 this is acceptable.
"The existing vegetation can be seen to give this effect in places and this has developed since the 1980s. Careful consideration needs to be given to the location and nature of planting if the best outcomes are to be achieved for the site, the wider area and the road-users’ experience."
Proposals for an enhanced layby close to the Drumochter Summit, to enhance visitor experience, are being supported together with the retention and improvement of parking at Balsporran Cottages and Dalnaspidal.
The planning officer said: "Continuity of parking provision is considered to be vitally important with design and layout that is accessible from established setting-off points and is convenient to both directions of vehicular travel."
Members of the Cairngorms National Park planning committee will discuss their response to the informal consultation including the various route options at their meeting on Friday (July 8) at Nethy Bridge Communtiy Centre.
