A9 road scheme begins

A £2.6m overtaking lane scheme at Moy on the A9 begins in earnest today.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson will perform a ground breaking ceremony on site today, marking the start of the 12 week construction programme.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

“I’m delighted to see construction start on this important overtaking scheme on the A9 at Moy, which will help make the trunk road a safer, quicker and more reliable route as well as ease congestion.

“The Scottish Government is committed to improving the A9 and this particular scheme – which is one of a number of upgrades to the A9 – underlines our investment on a progressive and continued basis, leading to dualling between Perth and Inverness.

“This overtaking scheme will provide a boost to the construction industry in Scotland, helping our hard pressed construction workers in this challenging economic climate, and also complements £6m of improvement works undertaken at Carrbridge and Bankfoot last year, as well as a further overtaking scheme planned for Slochd in 2011.”

The £2.6m contract for Moy, approx 10 miles (17km) south of Inverness, was awarded by Transport Scotland to Aggregate Industries. Due to commence in the last few weeks, the start of the works was interrupted due to the recent severe weather conditions and to protect both road user and road worker safety.

The project will see the construction of a new northbound overtaking lane of 0.68 miles (1.1km), the installation of a ‘ghost island’ to shelter traffic turning right into Lynebeg and the closure of an unclassified road leading from the A9 to the village of Moy.

The project will use the modern, greener and more sustainable method of ‘crack and seat’ construction. This approach brings benefits by reducing carbon emissions, as there are fewer deliveries, and lowers waste output by recycling existing materials.

Stevenson Hails Junior Warden Initiative As It Expands To Fraserburgh

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has praised the junior warden initiative which gives local school pupils a first hand look at how emergency services in their area carry out their operations.

The project, which launched in Peterhead and has now expanded to cover pupils in and around Fraserburgh, also aims to teach participants the consequences of vandalism and anti-social behaviour and to encourage civic pride.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“Giving pupils a first hand experience of the invaluable job that people in our emergency services do is a fantastic way of educating them and increasing their respect for members of those services.

“The scheme has deservedly won awards for its approach in Peterhead and I am delighted by its launch in Fraserburgh. Having the chance to see and do the things that members of our emergency services do has a far greater impact on pupils than simply being talked to ever could.

“People in Banff & Buchan are immensely proud of members of the emergency services for the selfless work that they do on our behalf. Encouraging that respect for the emergency services in the next generation is something that I’m sure everyone believes should be encouraged.”

Homes go greener

New Scottish homes are set to be greener, quieter and safer under new rules confirmed today.

From October this year, new build homes must be more energy efficient, have greater sound insulation and better levels of home security. The revised building standards will reduce emissions, create new jobs in small scale renewables and could save many householders money.

The Building Standards Technical Handbook, published today and which comes into force in October 1, 2010, confirms:

• Enhanced energy standards for new buildings - both homes and non-domestic - which will reduce emissions by 30 per cent on 2007 standards and by 70 per cent compared to 1990
• Improved sound insulation to party walls and floors and the introduction of sound insulation testing to homes
• Better security features for homes including higher design specification for doors, windows and locks to deter opportunity crime
• New build schools must have sprinklers fitted to reduce potential loss or damage

The moves follow a wide review and consultation.

Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"While Scotland already leads the UK in reducing emissions from buildings, these improvements will give us some of the greenest homes in Europe.

"Energy use in buildings makes up over 40 per cent of all carbon emissions and tightening energy standards will help us tackle climate change. I expect higher demand for small scale renewables technologies as developers look at ways to meet the new standards, giving Scotland new opportunities for jobs and investment in low carbon industries. Cutting out energy waste will also save money.

"A major review of noise standards has also resulted in dramatic improvements in sound insulation which will lead to greater freedom from unwanted noise. Taken together, these improvements will lead to better, warmer and quieter homes to live in."

Professor Sean Smith, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Construction, Edinburgh Napier University, added: "It is very positive that after so many years the standards have been raised. Some house builders have been building to these higher standards, however this will now bring a level playing field for the industry sector and all occupants irrespective of income. This is one way in which Scotland can lead the way in promoting sustainable communities."

Other new features in the Technical Handbook include guidance on land contamination, flooding, ventilation, condensation, biomass installations and flueless gas appliances. The guidance for means of escape and the guidance for fire and rescue facilities have been re-written to reflect the needs of the fire and rescue service. The changes will include the introduction of structural Eurocodes, the harmonised design standards for building structures which will help to eliminate technical barriers to trade between EU member states.

The moves to increase energy standards flow from the Sullivan Report which looked at ways to make homes and buildings more energy efficient.