Works required for the completion of A9: EIR release

FOI reference: FOI/18/00183
Date received: 22 January 2018
Date responded: 20 March 2018

Information requested

The following information:

1. List of 'snagging' works required for the completion of the A9 Kincraig to Dalraddy, with any description or detail of the 'snagging' works,

2. Any planned lane closures, road closures or overnight works required to complete 'snagging' works,

3. The timeframe planned for the completion of 'snagging' works for the A9 Kincraig to Dalraddy.

Response

As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

1. The snagging list is summarised as follows:

• finishing of the network of ducts and chambers for the Intelligent Transport Systems;

• finishing the outstanding maintenance access tracks to the drainage attenuation ponds;

• finishing the central reserve and maintenance crossovers;

• finishing the kerbing along the access tracks to the under bridge structures;

• minor signage work associated with laybys;

• finishing works to non-motorised user (NMU) route;

• outstanding accommodation works for affected landowners; and

• a range of minor corrective works across the site.

Snagging items as noted above are not uncommon on major projects as it is recognised that whilst some minor issues remain to be resolved, the public getting beneficial use of the new infrastructure as early as possible is the more important factor.

2. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Transport Scotland does not have the information you have requested. Although some traffic management will be needed in order for the project works to be completed, the Contractor has yet to set dates for this to be undertaken. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs.

3. All snagging identified at the time of the road opening must be rectified within 52 weeks of the opening.

The Contractor is currently finalising the programme for these works. In the meantime, we will work closely with the Contractor to bring these works to a conclusion at the earliest opportunity, whilst minimising the impact on road users.

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