A9 Scaling New Heights

26th August 2016

Highland Primary School gets new playground facilities from A9 dualling.

Once Alvie Primary School in Kincraig broke up for summer holidays, work started to revamp the playground in time for the new school year.

Pupils will now have access to an all-weather, Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which will enable them to play a number of sports including football, hockey, tennis and netball.

The Contractor, Wills Bros John Paul JV, who are currently dualling the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy as part of Transport Scotland's A9 dualling programme, also erected approximately 15 metres of climbing wall suitable for use by primary school pupils. As well as providing the children with a fun activity, the climbing wall is expected to improve the children's balance, strength and flexibility.

Drainage has also been installed to weather-proof the ground as much as possible against the extremes of Scotland’s weather.

Earlier this year Kip Clark, Headteacher of Alvie Primary School, highlighted that balls often stray outside the school grounds and on occasion have rolled towards the road. On hearing this the contractor arranged for a mobile football net to be installed as a temporary measure whilst vegetation between the school and the A9 was removed. The mobile net has now been replaced with a 3m high permanent fence, as part of the improvement work to the play area.

Planting and seeding around the perimeter of the playground will be carried out in the spring. The refurbishment of the playground was agreed with The Highland Council in return for areas of school land which were required to be given up to facilitate the dualling project. This initiative also forms part of Transport Scotland’s commitment to deliver community benefits on the project.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown said:"In dualling this stretch of the A9, we place great importance upon the work being done effectively and efficiently. However in doing so, we also recognise that local communities may be affected by our work and we endeavour to minimise disruption as far as possible. Community benefits are also at the core of the work we do and I am delighted that the Alvie Primary School will have a lasting legacy as a result of the work to dual this stretch of the A9."

On the transformation of the playground into a modern facility for the children, Kip Clark said:“The children absolutely love the new playing pitch and climbing wall, it really breathes new life into the school. I’ve had very positive feedback and the parents have been really impressed with the new facility too. Everyone at the school is very grateful for the new facility and we very much look forward to making good use of it."

Paul Gilligan, Project Manager, Wills Bros John Paul JV said:“Whilst working and living in the area, we have forged close links with the staff and pupils at Alvie Primary and we are delighted to be able to provide these new facilities for the school pupils so they may enjoy multiple outdoor activities including football, netball, tennis, hockey and hopefully by providing these facilities we may contribute to a future sporting star.”

This work was undertaken during the school holidays to minimise any disruption to lessons and outdoor time for the children.