North East politicians have welcomed the announcement that ground investigations will soon start to turn the notorious A90 Toll of Birness junction into a roundabout.
Regional transport body Nestrans has released new images and announced that early preparation work on the Aberdeenshire junction will commence at the end of this month, with the hope of finalising a design for a new roundabout by March next year.
The update was given to MPs, MSPs, and councillors during a meeting last night with both Nestrans and Aberdeenshire Council.
Calls have now been made for the Scottish Government to “step up to the plate” and help with funding after transport bosses said the project will only happen if cash is granted by Transport Scotland.
In January, SNP ministers did not include the Toll of Birness junction in its “Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline” – a document setting out transport projects that it will invest funding into over the next four years.
An online consultation detailing the plans will open on Friday and close on September 18, while a public drop-in event will take place at Hatton Public Hall on September 2.
The progress locally came on the same day that police and ambulance crews were called to a car crash at the accident blackspot.
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, said: “This announcement from Nestrans is welcome progress into replacing the Toll of Birness, which is one of the most dangerous junctions of its kind in Scotland.
“Motorists often take their lives into their own hands when crossing this junction, with collisions and near misses a regular occurrence.
“Not only will replacing the Toll of Birness improve safety, it will significantly help our emergency services and boost businesses across a range of industries including farming, fishing and freight.
“However, questions remain over where all the funding will come from to complete this project, which is on the A90 that Transport Scotland is responsible for.
“That is why I will be immediately writing to the SNP government, urging ministers to finally support these plans and commit funding to ensure this vital infrastructure project can become a reality.”
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said: “I very much welcome the progress that has been made by Nestrans to start ground investigation work on a junction that is currently not fit for the 21st century.
“I am hopeful this initial work will be the catalyst for the Scottish Government to step up to the plate by allocating funding so building work can finally take place once a design has been approved for a new roundabout.
“Lives are being put at risk because of the sorry state both the A90 and the Toll of Birness junction has been left in after decades of neglect.
“I am especially concerned that as we approach winter, the risk of daily accidents and near misses will heighten.
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“It’s therefore vital that funding comes forward and the Toll of Birness junction is made a priority by the Scottish Government to ensure this upgrade can happen.”
In an update given to North East politicians, Nestrans said: “The current design phase is being funded through the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
“Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans continue to explore opportunities for the funding of the proposed roundabout, and further stages of this project will be subject to further funding availability.”
