Campaigners have made fresh calls to transport bosses to help reduce the number of deaths on a notorious stretch of one of the north-east’s busiest roads.
New figures reveal there has been a fatal crash every single year on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road, home to the often deadly Toll of Burness blackspot, since 2013.
The police statistics also show the number of crashes have increased by more than 30% in the past two years.
Between April 2017 and March 2018 there were 63 accidents on the road, which had soared from 48 during the same period in 2015-16.
In the past two years alone there have been two deaths and 13 people seriously injured in collisions.
The impact on surrounding communities has prompted Peterhead Community Council to establishing a sub-group to campaign for action and is now collating evidence to help strengthen their case.
Sean Martin, who submitted the freedom of information request for the data, said: “The newly-established group are looking at various components in the preparations and installation of the AWPR.
“We’re looking into anything we can do moving forward to strengthen our position on improving transport to Peterhead and the surrounding areas.”
Mr Martin added: “The group feel very strongly that the existing single carriageway between Peterhead and Ellon is unsuitable, dangerous and certainly not fit for the future of Peterhead.”
The community council recently invited councillor Gillian Owen from the group Why Stop at Ellon dualling campaign group to a meeting.
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A Transport Scotland spokesman said the A90 will be considered in the strategic transport appraisal as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal and through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review.
He said: “We recognise the important role the A90 route north of Aberdeen plays in connecting people to jobs and services and businesses to markets.
“Road safety is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government and we assess the safety performance of the trunk road network on an annual basis.
“This includes the A90 as a whole, alongside specific locations, such as the Toll of Birness junction.”
Road policing inspector Neil Morrison said road safety and casualty reduction are key priorities of the force regardless of the road.
“Operation Cedar (Challenge, Educate, Detect and Reduce) was launched in 2014 to reduce the number of road collisions.
“Over the last four years officers have run numerous local initiatives to detect and deter road traffic offences and poor driver behaviour.
“Operation Cedar continues to influence driver behaviour and to support the wider road safety agenda.”
Gillian Owen, who is councillor for Ellon and District, said: “These figures simply serve to strengthen the argument for dualling the A90 north of Ellon.
“I have been making this case for several years now.
“Even one death is one too many, but these accidents keep happening.
“We need action from the SNP government on this issue.
“For safety reasons, but also to speed up journey times for commuters and businesses, we need a dual carriageway all the way to Peterhead.”