The Scottish Government has been pressed over the growing public campaign for a flyover at a Mearns accident blackspot.
MSP Nigel Don quizzed transport minister Keith Brown about a delayed report over the safest way to access Laurencekirk across the A90.
Engineering consultants CH2M HILL are carrying out an analysis as part of their Access to Laurencekirk Study, which aims to identify a preferred solution to the access between the A90 and the town.
But Transport Scotland said the study has been delayed and the report will not be available until early next year.
Mr Brown said: “The Scottish Government is committed to identifying a robust solution for access to Laurencekirk as soon as possible and is currently working with partners the north east of Scotland transport partnership (Nestrans) and Aberdeenshire Council on that.”
Mr Don added: “My constituents will remain concerned that we still do not have a decision to construct the grade-separated junction which everyone can see we need.
“Not only do we all know that the junction is dangerous but it is now clear that future housing or business developments in the area cannot be completed until a junction has been constructed.
“I am glad that the minister accepts that we need to come to a solution, and I shall continue to press the authorities concerned to make this happen quickly.”
The A937 between Montrose and Drumlithie, taking in the controversial Laurencekirk south junction with the A90, was this month highlighted in a report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) as the UK’s third most dangerous.
On the need for a flyover to be in place before new developments can be given planning consent, the minister replied: “Planning decisions are, of course, taken by the planning authority. I have asked officials to establish a meeting with the local authority and with Nestrans to see whether we can advance the report I mentioned as quickly as possible and come to a solution.
“People want to develop in the Laurencekirk area and we want to have the best possible road safety record.”