The public could have their say on how to prevent deaths on the north-east’s most notorious road.
The A947 Aberdeen to Banff road has been branded one of the most dangerous roads in the country, and calls have been made from both safety groups and a farmer’s union for action to be taken to prevent fatalities.
The 38-mile-long stretch of carriageway, which winds its way through the villages of Turriff, Fyvie and Oldmeldrum, has been the scene of 16 fatal smashes in the last eight years.
Figures revealed last year put the rate of fatal accidents on the route at almost 50% higher than the national average.
Last night the chairman of Banff’s safety group, Mark Findlater, who has called for greater driver education on the danger of the road, said it was important local people engaged with the consultation process if given the chance.
“It’s not the road that’s at fault, really – it’s education. The A947 is fine as long as you drive within your own, the road and the weather conditions,” he added.
“But anything like this is good, so I do encourage community groups and community councils to become involved. Everyone has a point to make, and if they see any problems with the road they should point them out. They must engage.”
The council now wants to launch the consultation with communities along the route within the next two months, but needs the approval of the Garioch, Formartine, and Banff and Buchan area committees to proceed.
Formartine’s committee meets on Tuesday to discuss the plan.
In his report, Stephen Archer, Aberdeenshire Council’s director of infrastructure services, said the consultation with the villages and towns along the road will help “thoroughly understand problems and issues along the A947 and the interventions that route users would like to see considered as part of the long term route improvement strategy.”
Workshops in Banff, Newmachar, Oldmeldrum, and Turriff are then expected to take place in October before a final report on what safety measures should be placed on the road is discussed by Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure committee in January 2016.
Earlier, Lorna Paterson, the head of the National Farmer’s Union in the north-east, backed a campaign to reduce accidents on the route.
“Nobody wants anything like that happening,” she said.