A £2.1 million project is about to get under way to realign a blackspot stretch of Angus coast road.
Over the years the Hawkhill and Courthill corners on the A92 between Arbroath and Montrose have gained a killer reputation following a number of fatal and serious accidents.
Known as the Big Tree bends, the corkscrew stretch has been the subject of previous minor improvements but Monday will see the start of the seven-figure scheme to straighten the road.
Under the Angus Council scheme, a two and a half kilometre piece of new road will cut across fields near the Big Tree bends and through Hawkhill Quarry, before rejoining the A92 to the West of Courthill.
The new road will bypass Hawkhill, Courthill and Courthill Cottages, with the £2.15 million contract being carried out by Noel Regan & Son Building and Civil Engineering Contractors UK Ltd.
Angus councillors approved the project close to the end of 2010, with works now set for the green light following the completion of final designs and associated matters including land acquisition.
The improvement scheme was widely welcomed by local councillors at the time of its approval following what was said to be an unwelcome toll of tragedy on that part of the A92.
Confirmation of the Big Tree project start has come just ahead of Angus Council’s budget setting on Thursday, with the area’s infrastructure services convener promising roads investment will continue to be a priority.
Alliance councillor David May said: ”Residents told us quite clearly during the budget consultation that they didn’t want to see any slowing down in road maintenance.
”So despite finances being tight, we are not proposing any reduction in the maintenance budget this year,” he added.
”In fact we have reviewed our savings proposals and, just as we have in all of our previous budgets, we will be putting more money in the pot for maintenance.
”Further investment in the roads infrastructure will also be delivered through the capital programme this year. ”
He said that alongside the seven-figure Hawkhill investment, work totalling almost £400,000 will get under way this month to realign the A935 Brechin to Montrose road at West Broomley and Balwyllo.
”I am delighted to see these important and much anticipated projects coming to fruition as they will contribute to the overall safety of these rural routes.”
Infrastructure services vice-convener councillor David Fairweather also highlighted the newly-started Dundee Road carriageway reconstruction project which began in Arbroath at the beginning of this week.
Mr Fairweather said he understood the scheme would lead to delays for drivers but asked them to show patience during the project, which is due to be completed at the end of March.
”This is essential maintenance work which will make a big improvement to the entrance to the town,” Mr Fairweather said.
”However, as is often the case with maintenance projects on busy routes, the long term improvement can’t be achieved without short term inconvenience.
”In this case the road will be closed for some weeks so I would ask people to bear with us as this necessary work is carried out.”