Road safety campaigners have launched a renewed call for action to improve one of the north-east’s busiest roads following a four-car crash.
The group has urged road authorities to have the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road dualled after a collision at the Toll of Birness.
The route is currently being reviewed by north-east transport partnership Nestrans with a vision in place for upgrade works valued at £300million.
However, in the aftermath of a car crash last week, which saw two people being taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with injuries, campaigners have called for action sooner rather than later.
Figures have shown that, by 2033, the level of traffic on the route is expected to rise by 50%.
And last night, Conservative MSP, Peter Chapman, said it seemed as if there was a crash on the road almost every fortnight.
He added: “There are a range of factors at play, including driver education and speed awareness, but an upgrade to the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead would certainly help.
“Dualling the road would not only cut down on accidents, but would also crucially improve journey times for commuters and freight heading from our north east ports of Fraserburgh and Peterhead down south.”
He also criticised MSP Stewart Stevenson, a former cabinet secretary for transport, for “failing to act” over the issue.
But Mr Stevenson responded by accusing Mr Chapman of indulging in political point scoring.
He said: “The simple fact is it was SNP councillors who pushed for Nestrans to start that process in 2013.
“Peter Chapman was a member of Aberdeenshire Council from 2007 and he could have lobbied his colleagues on Nestrans to start this process years earlier than it did, but he chose not to do that.
“For my part, I support the work which is ongoing at the moment to come up with a range of transport improvements along the Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh corridor.
“I am clear that I want to see the best possible outcome from that process for my constituents.”