BEAR Scotland, acting on behalf of Transport Scotland, is carrying out essential landscape works to remove potentially hazardous trees affected by ash dieback at the A85 Lochearnhead.
The scheme will take place from the evening of Monday 12 February 2024 to the morning of Saturday 2 March, taking place between 7pm and 6am each night. No works are planned for Saturday or Sunday nights.
A full overnight road closure with a diversion route (details below) will be in place for the safety of workers. Short amnesty periods will be provided on the hour, every hour from 8pm until 5am. We encourage drivers to arrive in good time if wishing to take advantage of an amnesty period.
Westbound:
Diversion starts at A85 / A822 junction in Crieff.
1) Head south on A822.
2) After 5.2 miles, turn left onto A823.
3) After 5.1 miles, at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A9 slip
road.
4) After 11.3 miles, take the A820 exit towards A84 / Dunblane / Doune /
Callander.
5) Turn right onto A820.
6) After 3.1 miles, turn right onto A84.
7) Follow A84 for 21.2 miles to Lochearnhead.
Thereafter follow permanent signing.
Diversion ends at A84 / A85 junction at Lochearnhead.
Eastbound:
Diversion starts at A84 / A85 Junction
1) Head south on A84.
2) After 21.2 miles, turn left onto A820.
3) After 3.0 miles, turn left to merge onto A9 towards Perth.
4) After 11.4 miles, take the A823 exit towards Dunfermline / Crieff /
Gleneagles.
5) Turn left onto A823.
6) After 5.0 miles, turn right onto A822.
7) Follow A822 for 5.3 miles to Crieff
Thereafter follow permanent signing.
Diversion ends at A822 / A85 junction at Crieff.
Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s NW Representative said: “Ash Die Back disease is such that a large proportion of Ash trees in the UK are likely to be affected and will require to be removed. Affected ash trees near to the trunk road represent a risk to road users so following an area-wide review we are now arranging for their removal of trees which represent an imminent risk. The works started last year and are now continuing at the A85. It is essential for safety that we put traffic management measures in place, including road closures, while we remove potentially hazardous trees.
“We understand that this will be disruptive and have planned the works to take place at night when traffic flows are lower to reduce the impact.
“The nature of the works will result in a slight increase in noise levels and we apologise in advance for the inconvenience this may cause.
“We thank road users and the local community for their patience and understanding.”
All works are weather dependent and subject to postponement in the event of adverse conditions.
For more information on Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland’s ash dieback management plan, visit https://www.bearscot.com/about-bear/major-projects/ash-dieback-action-plan/.
Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot, or on X at @trafficscotland.
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