Gleneagles station link upgrade starts

Ryder Cup captains Tom Watson and Paul McGinley are greeted by the Provost for Perth and Kinross Liz Grant at Gleneagles train station

Construction work has begun on a new £3.8m link road between Gleneagles station and the A9 in preparation for next year's Ryder Cup golf competition.

The work will also extend the car park at the railway station, which lies on the opposite side of the A9 to the world famous Perthshire golf course.

The scheme is aimed at improving road safety and access to the station.

It will provide a new road and close off the current access from the A9 Perth to Stirling dual carriageway.

Councillor Ian Miller, leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said securing safer road access to Gleneagles had been a "long-held ambition" for the council.

Sufficient capacity

The station lies a short distance from the town of Auchterarder but is difficult to access due to the busy dual carriageway.

The council said the new link would enhance the station's use as a transport hub for the Strathearn area by providing an easier link for buses and local traffic.

The Scottish government said the station could be a "fully functional transport hub" during the prestigious golf event, which takes place in September next year.

Transport Secretary Keith Brown said: "It is only right we offer a worthy welcome to our visitors including an attractive transport network with sufficient capacity.

"With the ongoing station upgrades announced earlier this year and extra spaces, spectators can relax in the knowledge we will get them to the event in comfort and on time.

"It is only fitting therefore that access to and from the station is as simple and safe as possible - this new link road will help provide this."

Mr Brown added: "Ultimately, these improvements will encourage event goers to enjoy the benefits of train travel now while leaving a lasting legacy for future passengers that encourages future use of Gleneagles station."

The new link road from the A9/A823 Loaninghead roundabout is to replace the existing access road and junction with the A9.

The works include the construction of 1km of new road, the extension of the existing car park, and the provision of a sustainable urban drainage system.

The improvements to the southbound A9 diverge slip road will include carriageway widening, realignment of existing diverge slip road and enlargement of the existing Loaninghead Junction roundabout.

The Scottish government will contribute £1m towards the cost with Perth & Kinross Council providing £1.5m and TACRAN (Tayside and Central Transport) paying about £1.2m.