Harriet Cross MP has written to SNP transport secretary Stephen Flynn calling on the Scottish Government to accelerate funding for a new roundabout to replace the notorious Toll of Birness junction.
In a meeting with MPs, MSPs and councillors, regional transport body Nestrans said it was “exploring opportunities” for funding to create a roundabout at the junction of the A90 and A952 north of Ellon.
Funded through the Aberdeen City Region Deal, ground investigation work is due to start at the beginning of September with the final designs to be finalised by March next year.
However, transport bosses revealed that the roundabout will not be built unless funding comes forward from Transport Scotland, the government body responsible for looking after the A90.
In 2007, Alex Salmond said the first decision he would make if he got elected as First Minister would be to dual the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead, with a decision being made within 100 days of him gaining office.
But despite this, no upgrades have happened and 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.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross said: “I very much welcome this design and upcoming ground investigation work by Nestrans which must now be the catalyst for the Scottish Government to accelerate funding to ensure this roundabout becomes a reality.
“The Toll of Birness is a notoriously dangerous junction. Every collision is one too many and the Scottish Government’s lack of investment on this road is an ongoing betrayal to the families whose loved ones have tragically died or suffered injuries at the junction.”
“Despite such strong public outcry for this upgrade, the SNP have so far turned its back on communities, which is why I have written to Stephen Flynn urging him to finally commit to funding these vital improvements at the Toll of the Birness.”
In her letter to the SNP’s transport secretary, Harriet Cross MP said:
“19 years ago, the SNP Government pledged to approve the dualling of the A90 in full within the first 100 days of coming to Government.
“It has now been 7,042 days since the SNP entered government and the dualling of the A90 in full has still not been approved, with there seemingly no prospect of any progress on dualling the road north of Ellon.
“The A90 serves as a vital economic road connecting the North East’s major industrial, energy, and fishing hubs to the rest of Scotland.
“The announcement regarding the Toll of Birness junction roundabout is a welcome step that will undoubtedly improve local safety once approved.
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“As the MSP for Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine, with constituents reliant on the road, in addition to your ministerial responsibility for transport, I would be grateful if you could clarify the following when the Scottish Government will ensure the necessary funding is made available to fully support the Toll of Birness roundabout proposal.”
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.”
