SNP transport secretary Fiona Hyslop has rejected pleas to visit a notorious accident blackspot on the A90 – almost a decade since government plans were announced to build a flyover at the junction – stating she is too busy.
The campaign for safety improvements at the A90 Laurencekirk junction has run for around two decades.
North East MSP Tess White wrote to the transport secretary asking when building work would finally start, a year since Aberdeenshire Council removed its technical objection to the project which would also see the construction of a new bridge at nearby Oatyhill.
But in her response, Fiona Hyslop said she couldn’t meet Ms White and campaigners due to a “fully committed diary”.
Ms Hyslop revealed just one objection has been lodged since Transport Scotland published new draft orders for the grade-separated junction in December, claiming it was the largest official step forward since the original orders were published in 2019.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Tess White said: “Fiona Hyslop’s refusal to meet me to hear about the frightening experiences at the junction is a slap in the face to the Laurencekirk community and wider North East region.
“After almost a decade since the Scottish Government announced plans for the flyover and two decades of community campaigning, spades have yet to properly hit the ground.
“The number of collisions, near misses and speeding offences at the Laurencekirk Junction make it clearer than ever that the long-awaited flyover needs built now.
“Fiona Hyslop’s reluctance to visit the junction is a betrayal to the families who have tragically lost loved ones from collisions at the junction.
“Just like the A96, for too long the SNP government has made very little effort to deliver on their 2016 promise which is why I will continue to urge minsters to get this project out of first gear for the safety of residents.”
In her response, private secretary to Fiona Hyslop, Craig Peaston, said: “Unfortunately, due to a fully committed diary, Ms Hyslop is unable to meet at this time.
“Following publication of supplementary draft Orders on December 6, a number of representations, including one objection, were received.
“Transport Scotland is currently considering all representations received and will work at pace to resolve these if possible.
“The scheme can only progress following successful completion of the relevant statutory processes.
“A timeline for procurement and construction phases could then be determined in line with available budgets.”
