The work to prepare Made Orders for these four schemes totalling over 35km is well underway with publication expected over the coming months.

The four schemes given the green light to make the orders are:

• Tay Crossing to Ballinluig – 8.2km
• Pitlochry to Killiecrankie – 6.4km
• Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie – 9.5km
• Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore – 11km

Transport Scotland said it also expects Public Local Inquiry Reports to be submitted to Scottish Ministers for a further three schemes in the coming months. Subject to positive decisions from the public local inquiry process on these three schemes this would pave the way for completing the statutory processes for approximately 92 per cent of the programme.

The design work for the remaining scheme between Pass of Birnam and Tay Crossing is also continuing following the co-creative process with the local community and we expect to share the preferred option for this stretch of the route with communities and road users, later this year.

Cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, Michael Matheson, said: “This government remains committed to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness, one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.

“Hot on the heels of publishing Made Orders for the most northerly scheme between Tomatin and Moy, we are pushing forward with the necessary preparatory work to progress the publication of Made Orders for four more schemes with a total length of over 35 km.

“At the same time, to help inform the future delivery plans for the dualling programme, we are engaging with industry representatives to ensure that the remainder of the programme, including these four schemes, is delivered effectively and efficiently.

“This engagement will balance the considerable benefits of the programme against financial risk and any impacts on local communities. We expect this process to conclude in summer 2021.”