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Motor vehicle drivers

Fresh Plans for Service Station on A9 Receive Road Safety Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A proposal to build a new service station between Stirling and Perth has raised concerns over road safety issues, with locals fearing it will increase accidents and hazards. The application, submitted to Stirling Council in March, seeks to create a petrol station, shop, parking spaces, picnic area, and vehicle washing facilities on the northbound carriageway of the A9. The low-carbon design would feature hydrogen storage, a solar farm, and electric vehicle charging, but critics argue that it will pose significant road safety risks, particularly with drivers attempting U-turns across the A9.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed service station would be located approximately 500 meters south-west of Balhaldie Farm, on the A9 northbound carriageway.
  • The application has received 16 objections from local residents, including concerns over road safety, battery fires, and the existing availability of EV charging facilities.
  • Dunblane Community Council has expressed strong opposition, labeling the proposal "extremely dangerous" for southbound traffic.
  • Locals have raised concerns over the central reservation gaps on the A9, which they believe would make it hazardous for traffic flow and encourage U-turns.
  • Critics believe the service station would exacerbate existing road safety issues on the A9, which has seen over 15 accidents in the past year.
  • There is no recorded support for the plans, with no organizations or local businesses expressing backing for the proposal.
  • The Stirling Council will determine the planning application, but it has already been refused twice before, although in a smaller scale.

Statistics:

  • 16 objections to the proposed service station from local residents.
  • Over 15 accidents on the A9 in the past year, according to Rachel Malcolm.
  • 30 years of experience in the mechanical engineering industry for Rhys Stanwix, who has combined to object to the plans.
  • 2 times the proposal has already been refused by Stirling Council.

Sources:

  • "Dunblane Community Council". Personal correspondence with the author.
  • Stirling Council. "Planning Application Refusal" (no date given).
  • "Objection to Service Station Proposals". Personal correspondence with the author.

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