A mother whose son was killed in a head-on smash has called for urgent investment in road safety after it was revealed fatalities on one notorious route have cost the region £16million since 2010.
Eight people have been killed and a further 38 seriously injured on the A947 Aberdeen to Banff road in the last five years.
And now a new public consultation on upgrading the road has revealed the economic impact of each fatality amounts to more than £2million.
The figure is calculated by Transport Scotland, and takes into account factors such as the grief and suffering caused to victims’ families, injury, medical and insurance costs, damage to vehicles and property and the cost to emergency services.
June Ross, whose son Ian Buchanan was killed in a crash on a minor road between Kemnay and Monymusk just days before his 23rd birthday in 2010, hit out at the “shocking statistic last night.
“The impact is huge,” he said.
“It’s not just what’s required at that time, it’s support, potential depression and doctors and counselling.
“None of us had even thought about a figure associated with it.
“It’s shocking this money isn’t spent on improving the roads rather than having to deal with accidents, injures and deaths on the road.
“How many laybys would £2million provide? A hell of a lot. Save the money and prevent the devastation to families.”
Mrs Ross’s comments came after councillors met to discuss an ongoing public consultation on potential measures to improve safety on the A947 commuter route.
Although the number of collisions on the 38-mile stretch is below the national average for an ‘A’ class road, the number of fatal incidents is 50% higher.
Aberdeenshire Council officer Mark Skilling, who is overseeing the consultation, told the Formartine area committee yesterday: “I think we are starting to see results from the money we’re spending as a council and the work of our colleagues.”
However, he said other services were often prioritised over road improvements.
“We struggle against social work and schools. That’s understandable, so we’re trying to put together a strong business case for investment in the A947,” he added.
Former council leader Jim Gifford, representing Mid-Formartine at the meeting, echoed those thoughts. He said: “What we need is a plan with a delivery mechanism – then we work out how to pay for it. That’s the challenge.
“It’s been on the go for too long without progress.”
The latest A947 accident data, presented to councillors yesterday, shows a steady decline in the number of people injured or seriously injured on the route.
However, there has been at least one fatality in four of the last five years.
Incoming council co-leader Richard Thomson said: “Each one of the casualty numbers represents a family which is affected so I welcome the reduction in casualties.
“Compiling a robust business case for the improvements is the best way going forward.”
Much of the debate at yesterday’s meeting surrounded investment in new slow-moving vehicle laybys.
Mr Skilling said each would cost the local authority between £40,000 and £50,000 and could prevent driver frustration.
He is due to meet councillors, community councillors and members of the public across the region as part of the consultation over the next few months.