NORTH-EAST MSP Alex Johnstone has pledged full backing for the Mearns campaign for a flyover at the A90 junction at Laurencekirk with the A937 Montrose road.

Taking time out from the fun of the Fordoun gala to sign the petition launched by Mearns florist Jill Campbell, Mr Johnstone said, “I have written this week requesting an urgent meeting with the transport minister.

“I have stated in my letter to him that I firmly believe the temporary measures were intended to be precisely that —temporary!

“More people are now travelling from Montrose and Hillside to Aberdeen and the traffic on the A90 which now dodges around the speed cameras has made the junction increasingly unsafe.

“I have witnessed large numbers of reckless and dangerous manoeuvres by drivers largely brought about by frustration, and it is only a matter of time before we see another serious accident.”

Adding his signature Mearns councillor George Carr said, “I have no hesitation in giving support.

“This new petition is intended to force this issue back on to the political agenda. I also have witnessed at first hand the ever-increasing rush hour queues and the risks that are being taken as motorists navigate the notorious junction.”

He is calling on all the local elected representatives to make sure that everyone backs Jill and her team.

He said, “We must all work hard to bring a successful conclusion to this latest petition. This must not be just another vacuous photo opportunity for politicians and four years on we are back to square one— nothing done and temporary restrictions still in place of a lasting solution.”

Local campaigner Jill Campbell, who previously led a team which collected almost 8000 signatures, said, “It is awful that four years on, we are still campaigning for a desperately-needed junction.

“This is also after all the promises made by the then Lib Dem Transport Minister Nicol Stephen when we previously petitioned the Scottish Parliament. No one but he was better placed to deliver that junction and to say we are all bitterly disappointed at the lack of progress is an understatement.

“However, time has moved on and we have a new government in Holyrood with a new transport minister so we need to keep going.

“Because I am now based near Montrose, I am even more aware of how many people use that junction from Angus and beyond, each with their own scary tale to tell.

“I am taking the petition this time to Brechin, Montrose, Edzell and also round the Mearns towns with my team of helpers. We also have a Bebo page where we already have had over 200 hits and I’d encourage as many people as possible to register as that also counts as support for us.”

Local driving instructor Julie Watson is also helping Jill again. Julie confirmed how she has noticed traffic flows growing in the area and how the local road network is seriously in need of investment.

Echoing that view, Mearns SNP councillor Jean Dick said, “It is scandalous that the last Scottish Executive with so many Lib Dems representing north-east seats, failed to deliver a new junction. I am glad to see that Transport Scotland are carrying out a review of the A90.

“North-east MSP Nigel Don and myself will be doing all we can from within the new SNP Government to ensure the case for a new junction gets the attention of ministers.”

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.