Essential woodland management near A9 in Perth and Kinross

Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking the essential removal of trees at Highdrum Wood adjacent to the A9 in Perth and Kinross to prevent the spread of an infectious disease.

Larch trees located in the wood have been diagnosed with a plant disease caused by a fungus-like pathogen called Phytopthora ramorum.

As per Forestry and Land Scotland, the disease cannot be eradicated and the only way to slow the rate of spread is to fell the infected trees and those surrounding them.

The removal work at Highdrum Wood will take place approximately 4 miles south of Broxden Roundabout, near Crossgates, on either side of the A9 carriageway from Tuesday 14th March to Friday 31st March.

To ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists the work will initially be undertaken using a 24 hour closure of the inside lane on the southbound carriageway.

There will also be the need to implement a weekend contraflow system travelling southbound on the A9 from 7.30pm on Friday 17th March to 6.30am on Monday 20th March to bring in larger equipment for specific tree removal. The contraflow will be in place from the old Roman Road at Crossgates for approx. 1500m in a southerly direction.

When the southbound works are completed the work will switch to the northbound side of the A9, again under a closure of the inside lane, for the remainder of the month. This will take place approximately five working weekdays after the southbound works have completed.

This scheme forms part of Amey’s Tree and Woodland Maintenance Management Strategy.

Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.