A road safety charity has branded another decade-long wait for a potentially life-saving flyover at a blackspot Mearns junction as “unacceptable.”
Brake’s condemnation has been echoed by long-time Laurencekirk junction campaigner Jill Fotheringham and Montrose councillor David May who have now told the Scottish Government to get work started as a matter of urgency.
The Scottish Government has admitted it could take up to 10 years to build the flyover – despite promises in January that the “important upgrade” would be delivered “as soon as possible” after an 11-year campaign by local residents.
Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown is now facing a backlash from fellow MSPs after he was unable to say when the potentially life-saving work would be carried out – but suggested it might not be before 2026.
He added that Transport Scotland would “progress the scheme” through “the relevant statutory procedures”, but “the possibility of inquiries means that we (the Scottish Government) cannot be absolutely definitive at this stage”.
Mike Bristow, spokesperson for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “It’s disappointing to see potentially lifesaving changes put on hold.
“The Scottish Government needs to stick to the promise it made and introduce these measures as a matter of urgency.
“For what is reportedly the third most dangerous stretch of road in the UK, this level of inaction is unacceptable.”
January’s announcement that a flyover was to be built was a major victory for Montrose woman Jill Fotheringham who has been relentlessly campaigning for a flyover since 2004.
She said: “I had assumed that the political will was there and work was going to start soon.
“I’ve written to the transport minister, to our new MSP Mairi Evans, and I’ve got in touch with Mike Rumbles and Alex Johnstone.
“After 11 years I thought we were over the finish line.
“There are a lot of angry people in the north east right now.
“To a lot of them, it must look like the SNP promised the earth coming up to the election.
“A lot of objections to proposed housing at Laurencekirk, and Transport Scotland’s concern about the John Lawrie development at Montrose, have been withdrawn because it looked like we were getting an upgrade.
“I will fight any development tooth and nail until work begins on a flyover.”
Montrose councillor David May said: “Despite all the promises from the SNP we are being again let down by them as we need the Laurencekirk junction now.”
The roads agency previously pegged the cost of the flyover as between £13.5 million and £17.1 million.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Earlier this year we announced £24 million for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of a package of additional investment alongside Aberdeen City Region Deal and remain committed to completing this important upgrade for the people of the north east.
“While there is still a lot of development work to be carried out we will continue to work together with our partners to deliver this scheme as soon as possible bringing improved road safety and economic benefits to road users and the local community in Laurencekirk and the north Angus area.”
