A life-saving road project could be delayed for years due to just four people raising objections to the work.
The junction between the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee route and the A937 Laurencekirk to Montrose road has been the site of many crashes and near-misses over the years, and campaigners have been fighting for more than a decade for a flyover to be built to enhance safety.
In 2016, the Scottish Government confirmed £24 million plans for the development and it was hoped to be in place by 2022.
But now, it has emerged that just four objectors could push back the junction upgrade even further.
In a letter to north-east Conservative MSP Liam Kerr, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said the four objections relate to compulsory acquisition of land, and access arrangements.
Mr Kerr said: “There can’t be any more delays with this – the pedal needs to be pushed down on mediating any of the fears to do with land ownership and access points.
“I will continue to push for answers on this because Laurencekirk is growing right now and needs the infrastructure to suit a thriving area immediately.
“We saw the legal and technical hold-ups that occurred with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route resulting in years of delays and the north-east simply can’t afford that to continue to happen with the Laurencekirk junction.”
Between October and December 2019, 1,753 motorists were caught speeding at the stretch of A90 passing Laurencekirk – almost twice the number of incidents recorded on the rest of the road during the same period.
Transport Scotland’s initial plans for the flyover were shown to locals earlier this year.
As well as the objections, the body has received six further general comments on its plans for the project, and two representations expressing support.
Safety campaigner Jill Fotheringham, who has called for a flyover for 15 years, has now urged Transport Scotland to address the objections – and urged others to make it known that they support the scheme.
She said: “This is why we had the extensive, detailed plans on display in Laurencekirk – to avoid this kind of thing.
“To find out that we’ve got local people objecting to a life-saving project is mesmerising to me, I just don’t understand.
“A public inquiry could hold the project up for years, and for me, the value of life is surely more important than anything.
“If people can and are willing to, I would love them to write to Transport Scotland and let them know they want this.”
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said the Scottish Government is committed to completing the junction improvement project “as soon as possible”.
He said: “We received a number of objections to the proposals and continue to negotiate with objectors to try and resolve concerns where possible.
“However, should we be unsuccessful in removing all objections a public local inquiry may be required.
“As with all trunk road projects, this is the appropriate forum for considering objections received and not withdrawn.
“Delivery of the scheme can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set.”