Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway Opens
The New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge, a significant new transport infrastructure helping to reduce congestion in Perth city centre, opened on 31st March 2025, in a ceremony led by First Minister, John Swinney, Perth and Kinross Council Leader, Grant Laing, and local athletics champion, Eilidh Doyle.
Known collectively as the Cross Tay Link Road project, Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway, are key elements of the Perth Transport Futures infrastructure project linking the A9, the A93 and the A94 by providing a crossing over the River Tay.
The project also includes a 12km active travel path network, connecting the neighbouring communities with Perth city centre and providing alternatives to vehicular traffic. The path network also connects a central hub at a new Park-and-Choose area, and incorporates a green bridge to separate active travel users and wildlife from the road.
Together, the active travel path network and improved transport infrastructure will deliver on the project’s key priorities of reducing congestion and improving air quality in Perth city centre. Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, has provided a £40m funding contribution to Perth and Kinross Council.
First Minister John Swinney said, “The completion of the New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge is a significant milestone for Perth, and I have no doubt that it will be transformative for the area and bring enormous benefits to all who use it.
“Reducing traffic volumes in the city centre will make journey times quicker, while also helping to reduce pollution, improve air quality, and free up road space for improved public transport.
“Our £40 million investment in the New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge is in addition to the £150 million Scottish Government has already committed to the Tay Cities Region Deal, which is expected to create 6,000 jobs and lever a further £400 million of investment into the region.
“This project showcases exactly how, with the right investment and strong partnerships, we will continue to deliver on my priorities of growing the economy, improving public services and protecting the planet.”
Enabling works on the project commenced in early 2022 following the appointment of main contractor, BAM UK & Ireland. As well as delivering the £150m project on time and on budget, the project team has also generated over £51m of social and economic value within the local area.
Councillor Grant Laing, Perth and Kinross Council Leader, commented, “As the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council, the opening of Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway marks a momentous achievement for all involved.
“I would like to offer thanks to the project team for their hard work and dedication; and to residents, particularly those in Stormontfield, Scone and Luncarty, for their patience and understanding during the build.”
Councillor Laing continued, “As well as positively impacting on the environment and economy, during construction the project has created job opportunities and tackled local skills shortages through a robust outreach and training programme.
“It has also assisted in, and generated, several legacy projects including the Denmarkfield Allotments and Community Orchards, the new active travel path network and the Community Artwork project, all of which will bring enjoyment and health benefits for our Perth and Kinross residents for many years to come."
The Community Artwork Legacy
Led by Kinross-based artist, Nichol Wheatley, a series of community engagement events in 2023 generated the brief for the community artwork project, which identified several possible locations and themes.
Following a lengthy submission and selection process, five Scottish artists were appointed to create the works which are located along the active travel path network:
- The Living Bench, created by artist Louise McVey
- The souterrain project, led by artist Kate Robinson
- The wetlands project, led by artist Louise Kirby and assisted by Scone Airport Men’s Shed
- Two mural projects by Shona Hardie
- A stone carved bench by artist Lucinda Wilkinson
Ensuring Social Value
Using public spending to make Perth and Kinross a better place to live, work and do business was an integral part of the Cross Tay Link Road project from its inception.
From visits to schools to student placements, the creation of community orchards to charity fundraising, path clearances, and school playground upgrades, the work carried out was both diverse and meaningful.
Jillian Ferguson, Roads Infrastructure Manager for PKC commented, “During the build, the project generated over £51m of social value, including job creation, an outreach programme addressing skills shortages, and opportunities for students of all ages and levels. It also delivered legacy projects including allotments, a community orchard, 12km of active travel path network and a community artwork series.
“These significant results are testament to the project team involved, the willingness of BAM UK & Ireland, and the generosity of the project’s sub-contractors.”
Perth Transport Futures Project – Phase 3
The Bertha Park Link Road will be Phase 3 of the Perth Transport Futures Project and will connect the Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway with the A9/A85 junction.
It will travel north from the roundabout near Bertha Park High School through Bertha Park village, farmland and forests before meeting the new A9 west roundabout.
Plans for the Bertha Park Link Road were approved in February 2024 with Sweco appointed to design and plan the new road.
Once this is completed the final phase of the Perth Transport Futures Project will be to improve travel routes through Perth city centre, taking advantage of the reduced traffic in the city centre.
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