• Three-week overnight programme to address larch-diseased trees

• Overnight slip road closures required for five nights at end of scheme

A three-week programme of essential, overnight vegetation works at a number of sites on the M9 between junction 6 and junction 9 is set to get underway from Monday 6 February 2023 and be completed on Tuesday 28 February 2023.

The work involves the removal of over 1,200 diseased larch trees from locations adjacent to the motorway after Scottish Forestry issued a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN).

Phytophthora ramorum is a tree disease that affects larch trees. It has been prevalent in south west Scotland for many years with further sporadic outbreaks also becoming apparent in other parts of the country. The disease can’t be eradicated. The only way to slow the rate of spread is to fell the infected trees and those surrounding them.

Transport Scotland’s operating company, BEAR Scotland, is managing the project which is being carried out by specialist contractor, Complete Weed Control. The trees will be removed mechanically with dedicated equipment.

Much of the programme is scheduled to be carried out overnight under hard shoulder closures to limit the impact to the travelling public. At the end of the programme some overnight slip road closures are required for the safety of workers and road users:

• Saturday 18 – Tuesday 21 February the southbound slip road on junction 9 will be closed for four nights (20:00 – 06:00). Traffic will be diverted to junction 10 northbound returning back down the M9 southbound to junction 9.
• Wed 22 – Thurs 23 February the northbound slip road on junction 9 will be closed two nights (20:00 – 06:00). Traffic will be diverted to junction 10 N/B returning southbound to Junction 9.

Mark Turner, BEAR Scotland South East Design Manager says: “It is important that these works are carried out to limit further spread of this disease among larch trees. They are being done overnight to minimise disruption on this busy route.

“We thank motorists in advance for their patience while these works are completed.”

In some areas fencing will be erected to limit unintentional spread of the disease through disturbance of the remaining landscape.

Consultation is taking place with relevant stakeholders in advance of these works to make them aware of the traffic management arrangements and to minimise any inconvenience.

Live traffic information is available from the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot and on Twitter at @trafficscotland.