A north-east MSP has urged the Scottish Government to fast-track the construction of a flyover at one of the region’s most notorious junctions.
Conservative Nanette Milne made the plea after discovering there is no timetable for the scheme at Laurencekirk.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay has admitted it may be “some years” before work on the long-awaited flyover at the junction between the A90 Aberdeen-Dundee road and the A937 Laurencekirk-Montrose route can start.
A 50mph speed limit is in place at the junction, which has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents over the years.
The proposed flyover was recently recommended by regional transport body Nestrans as the preferred option to improve safety at the blackspot.
In a letter to Ms Milne, Mr MacKay said: “Discussions are now under way with our partners on the next steps for this project, including matters around funding.
“Further detailed design development work and authorisation are likely to take some years and progress will be reported as that process continues.
“In light of this, it is not possible at this stage to confirm when work will start on the new flyover at Laurencekirk.”
Ms Milne said: “I am hugely disappointed at the total lack of any timetable to take forward works on the notorious junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk.
“It remains one of the most dangerous in Scotland and an accident blackspot – it is imperative that work is undertaken at the earliest opportunity to make it safer for motorists.”
A spokesman for Mr Mackay said: “Nanette Milne would have more credibility if her Tory colleagues at Westminster had not cut Scotland’s capital budget by a massive 25% since 2010.
“The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a grade separated junction at Laurencekirk and the transport minister is already working with the local authorities on the next steps.”