HGV drivers are clogging up Edzell village in their determination to dodge a dangerous junction on the A90, it has been claimed.
Despite improvements to the North Water Bridge junction on the Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway, some truckers still consider the right turn required to make their way south to be too dangerous and are taking an alternative route through the village to avoid the risk.
Transport Scotland said alterations at the junction were carried out in consultation with developers and trunk roads agency BEAR Scotland, but have pledged to monitor the crossing.
North east Conservative MSP Liam Kerr raised the issue after locals highlighted concerns about the crossing and the increase in lorries driving through the village to join the A90 via the Brechin junction.
Mr Kerr said: “The trunk road was recently upgraded, at various stakeholders’ expense, with the intention of improving the junction to accommodate HGV movements and make the road fit for purpose.
“However, the current situation is that the junction is too short for right-turning HGVs to have clear and safe visibility to merge onto the road.
“I need not point out the dangers posed for this by all road users,” said Mr Kerr in a letter to Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf.
“The solution is a further extension to the central waiting area but in any event, this should have been planned for when the initial upgrades took place.
“In addition, there is significant disruption in Edzell itself due to the fact that an increased number of HGV drivers instead will circumvent the junction entirely, instead favouring to head through the small streets of the village in order to safely join the A90 at Brechin,” said Mr Kerr.
In response, Transport Scotland said: “The works carried out on the A90 North Water Bridge junction are as a result of development at Edzell airfield, which will increase the levels of HGV traffic turning at the junction.
“The developer has undertaken the works in accordance with the transport assessment…following consultation and agreement with us and our operating company for the A90, Bear Scotland.
“Matters regarding crossing the central reservation, particularly by HGV traffic, were reviewed during the safety audit and it was considered that the anticipated manoeuvre could be safely undertaken by road users exercising reasonable care.
“The location will, however, continue to be monitored by BEAR.”
