THE MEARNS Community Council will continue to lobby for action, the chairman has pledged, arguing that until a safe link to the A90 is achieved there should be no further residential or commercial development in Laurencekirk.

“The campaign for a grade separated junction or flyover for the A90/A937 at Laurencekirk has been enthusiastically undertaken and the case well made by many dedicated individuals over several years,” said David Nelson.

“The whole community of Laurencekirk and the many road users travelling from Marykirk, Montrose and the surrounding area are completely frustrated by the delays in addressing properly this dangerous road junction.

“Flyovers at Glendoick and Kinfauns, further south on the A90, serving significantly smaller populations have been provided in recent times, so why not at Laurencekirk.

“This is the only junction along the length of the A90 where two A classified roads converge without slip-roads, flyovers or underpasses.”

He said the 50mph speed restrictions had helped to reduce accidents.

But they did not address the issues of traffic stacking up in the middle section, nor long delays encountered at peak times in crossing to join the carriageways.

The frequency of vehicles exceeding the speed limit was not reducing.

“Accidents have happened and will do so again if nothing is done to provide a proper communication link at this notorious junction,” Mr Nelson said.

“Mearns Community Council supports all the initiatives to bring action by the Scottish Government to provide funding for improvements to the A90 and will continue to lobby all political parties until this is achieved.

“We have been promised many times that something will be done to alleviate the problems at this junction. We now require action.

“My firm belief is that no further residential or commercial development in Laurencekirk should be considered by Aberdeenshire planners until the whole issue of the roads infrastructure in and around Laurencekirk is radically improved.

“This must start with the provision of a safe and effective communication link on to the A90, the main thoroughfare to Aberdeen and Dundee for the people residing in the South Mearns.”

The junction at the south end of Laurencekirk between the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen road and the A937 road to Montrose via Marykirk has been the scene of numerous serious accidents and several fatalities in recent years.

There has been a long-running campaign for a flyover at the Mearns junction. A 50mph speed limit, with two fixed cameras, has been in operation for three years but many feel the measure has not worked.

What do you think? Do you feel the installation of a flyover is the only acceptable solution?

If you have a view on this subject Email The Courier—montrose@ dcthomson.co.uk—or call 01674 673649. You can also contact us—courier@dcthomson.co.uk—or 01382 575290 if you have any story to tell.