The Scottish Government’s transport secretary has admitted she has never met with Transport Scotland to discuss safety issues at the Toll of Birness following the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a bus at the accident blackspot.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Douglas Lumsden put forward the case for the dangerous intersection to be upgraded during his members’ business debate in parliament on “rural roads infrastructure”.
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In a series of responses to written questions from Mr Lumsden, SNP transport secretary Fiona Hyslop admitted she has never met with Transport Scotland to discuss improvements at the Toll of Birness.
She also admitted that no design or construction spend had been put towards the danger junction.
But following concerns from Aberdeenshire Council about safety at the current layout, she said Transport Scotland’s operating company, Amey, is now undertaking an investigation costing £10,000.
It comes after Andrew Jackson, from Aberdeen, died after being struck by a bus after exiting a lorry near the Toll of Birness last month.
Several other collisions have occurred over the last few months, while hundreds of people have also signed a petition calling for a roundabout to be created at the spot just north of Ellon.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Douglas Lumsden said: “It’s a disgrace that Fiona Hyslop has never met Transport Scotland to discuss the growing concern about safety at the Toll of Birness junction.
“Despite numerous fatalities and collisions, this SNP government continues to display an astonishing level of disdain to the North East and our road network.
“Every collision is one too many and the fact no design or construction spend has been put towards addressing this is a betrayal to the families whose loved ones have tragically died or suffered injuries on the road.
“Despite such strong public outcry for this upgrade, it’s plain to see this SNP government has turned its back on communities such as Ellon, Mintlaw, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
“Fiona Hyslop must get out of the slow lane, meet with Transport Scotland, and prioritise the A90 north of Ellon to prevent more lives from being lost.”
In a written response to Mr Lumsden, the SNP transport secretary said: “I have not met with Transport Scotland to discuss road improvements to the Toll of Birness junction specifically.”
She added: “In the current 2024-25 financial year, there has been no design or construction spend at the A90 Toll of Birness junction.
“Through Transport Scotland’s 2023 annual assessment of the safety performance of the trunk road network, the A90 Toll of Birness junction was not identified as a priority site for further investigation.
“Aberdeenshire Council raised concerns around the Toll of Birness junction through stakeholder engagement undertaken as part of the annual road safety assessment process and it was agreed to include the A90 Toll of Birness junction within this investigation.
“Transport Scotland’s Operating Company, Amey, are currently undertaking this investigation. The cost of this investigation is £10,000.”
