On 23 October 2023, SGN commenced major road works on the A9 at Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross as part of a major project to replace a main gas pipe between Birnam and Logierait . The works resulted in extensive delays to road users on Monday 23 October and then again on Friday 27 October 2023. These delays were widely reported in the media and resulted in a debate in the Scottish Parliament.
As Scottish Road Works Commissioner, I decided to undertake a review of the circumstances which led to the works including the planning stages and the responses of SGN as the works undertaker and Transport Scotland as the Road Works Authority.
My main aim was to establish if there had been any breach of statutory duties with a secondary aim to identify any learning that could be applied to future works.
I collected evidence from both SGN and Transport Scotland and followed up with discussion with relevant parties.
This report provides a summary of my findings.