Test Blasting At Berridale Road Improvement Programme

19th February 2019

Trial Small Scale Rock Blasting Notification

Period 1pm-4pm Tuesday 26th February 2019.

RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd have been awarded the contract by

Transport Scotland to construct improvements to the road

alignment and the existing tight hairpin bend on the A9 at

Berriedale Braes.

The construction process will include a large rock cutting to be formed for the new road alignment which will pass to the north of the existing historic Berriedale cemetery at the hairpin bend.

Options are currently being explored for the method of excavation of the rock however it is anticipated that controlled blasting is likely to be required at stages within the period of the works. The proposed trial blast will allow Engineers to determine the properties of the underlying rock and allow site-specific blast designs to be prepared for the main works later in the year. We therefore propose to undertake 4 small scale trial blasts during the afternoon of the above date. The trial blast procedure is routine and will have minimal impact.

PROCEDURES TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC

1. Road traffic on the A9 will be held either side of the proposed road works for a period no longer than 10 minutes to ensure the safety of road users during and after the blast.

2. Once the blast has gone off a site safety vehicle will be directed along the A9 to ensure that no debris has been deposited on the A9. On confirmation that the road is clear, the A9 will

be reopened to the public.

3. Prior to and immediately after the blast the restricted blasting area will be accessed by authorised RJ McLeod personnel only.

4. RJ McLeod Sentries will be positioned on all access routes to control vehicular and pedestrian

traffic and at other locations.

WARNING PROCEDURE PRIOR TO BLAST

3 short blasts on the siren 2 minutes before firing followed by 2 short blast 1 minute before firing and then 1 short blast 10 seconds before firing, then the blast will be fired

WARNING PROCEDURE AFTER BLAST

Once safety inspection completed and area made safe - 1 long blast on the siren.

Residents: Please ensure that pets and young children are kept away from the site during the blasting period in order to ensure their safety and protection.