Perth Innovation Highway - equality and fairer impact assessment feedback

Overview

We're looking to gather the views of the local community, particularly individuals and groups who fall within, or may be affected by, the Protected Characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

This consultation activity relates to the proposed Perth Innovation Highway, one of four key components of the Perth Eco Innovation Park project being developed by Perth and Kinross Council.

As part of the process an Equality and Fairer Impact Assessment is being undertaken to inform the proposed development. We are looking for your feedback, experiences, comments, and suggests to help inform the design and ensure equality considerations are fully addressed as the development proposals are progressed.

Your views matter and will help shape the future of this important project.

What is an Equality and Fairer Impact Assessment?

An Equality and Fairer Impact Assessment is a process used to understand how a proposed policy, project, or decision may affect different groups within society - particularly people who share protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. 
 
Under the Equality Act 2010, councils must consider how to: 

• Eliminate discrimination
• Advance equality of opportunity 
• Foster good relations between different groups 

The Council must also consider the ‘Fairer Scotland Duty’, which focuses on reducing inequalities caused by socio-economic disadvantage when making strategic decisions.

The purpose of an EFIA is to: 

• Identify any potential negative impacts on individuals or groups 
• Promote fairness and equality of opportunity 
• Ensure legal and statutory compliance 
• Support informed, evidence-based decision-making 
• Demonstrate transparency and accountability throughout the process 

In short, an EFIA helps ensure that fairness, inclusivity, and equality are embedded within decision-making and project development.

What are we consulting on?

We are seeking views on the proposed Perth Innovation Highway, part of the wider Perth Eco Innovation Park (PEIP) masterplan, which received planning permission in principle in November 2023.

The Perth Innovation Highway will create a strategic corridor integrating transport, digital, and renewable energy infrastructure as part of the PEIP project. The route will connect the A9, via a new junction at Tibbermore, with Perth city centre, extending from Lamberkin Drive to a new connection west of the A9.

The project will be delivered as part of Phase 1 of the PEIP development, with the outline design currently being progressed.

At this stage, we are only seeking views on the Perth Innovation Highway aspect of the masterplan. 

Proposed Development description

This section has been prepared to help you better understand what is proposed as part of the Perth Innovation Highway project, including the planned infrastructure and key elements of the development. 

Main components of the Perth Innovation Highway 

The project comprises the delivery of key connecting infrastructure required to facilitate subsequent phases of the wider masterplan development. The works include the provision of new strategic and local transport infrastructure together with associated active travel and green infrastructure elements, which aim to integrate the Innovation Park within the wider landscape context through a varied and cohesive planting framework, provide effective visual screening of infrastructure and built form and mitigate and offset the loss of biodiversity and habitats (subject to confirmation through ecological assessment).

The principal components are as follows:

A9 Underpass and Highway Alignment

• A new grade separated crossing of the A9 in the form of a 14.8 m clear span underpass.
• Construction using top down methods to minimise disruption to the strategic road network.
• An alignment developed to tie into existing transport infrastructure and to facilitate future connections to development parcels and active travel routes.
• Woodland, scrub, individual tree planting, and grassland areas will be used to integrate the underpass and highway alignment works into the wider landscape setting, softening infrastructure and reinforcing local landscape character. 

Earthworks and Platforms

• Cut and fill operations to achieve the required road levels.
• Formation of development platforms, including approximately 10 hectares of serviced land within the Innovation Park.
• Integration of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to manage surface water runoff and ensure compliance with current standards. The attenuation pond will be integrated by incorporating layered planting to support surface water management while creating biodiverse habitats for pollinators, amphibians, and bird species.
• Woodland, woodland edge, individual tree planting, and grassland areas will be established along earthworks and platforms to form a connected network of ecological and landscape corridors, creating habitat and landscape “wedges” throughout the Innovation Park.

Active Travel Infrastructure

•  A fully integrated active travel network.
• Dedicated pedestrian and cycle routes running parallel to the highway and connecting to existing routes to the east of the A9.
• Active travel routes will be enhanced through avenue tree planting, hedgerows, and wildflower grassland, providing an attractive, legible, and comfortable environment for users.

Construction of the Perth Innovation Highway

Timeline

It is anticipated that construction will take place from 2027 and end 2028. 

Changes to access

There will be temporary traffic management measures required during the construction period. Details relating to traffic management including any diversion routes and journey time changes will be provided as part of this consultation for you to provide any feedback. Due to the ongoing development of the design, this information will be added to this page from 5 June 2026.

Construction activities

It is expected that there would be the following construction activities:

Archaeological works

• Construction and subsequent removal of a temporary embankment to facilitate temporary traffic management measures, maintaining the flow of northbound and southbound traffic on the A9 

Localised Utility Diversion and network upgrade works

• Construction of a new underpass under the A9, north of Broxden Roundabout.
• Earthworks and platform formation for the proposed future innovation business park. 
• Delivery of highway infrastructure works, including construction of new carriageway, footway/ cycleway, fencing, road restraint systems, drainage, road Lighting and soft landscaping & compensatory planting.
• Upgrade and partial stopping up of local access routes to the west of Broxden Roundabout.