What next for A90 Laurencekirk flyover? Project remains in a stalemate seven years after approval

Seven years after the Scottish Government approved plans to put a flyover in place on the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road at Laurencekirk – the project remains at a standstill.

Jill Fotheringham, who has been campaigning to improve safety measures on the road for almost 20 years, has voiced her anger at the ongoing stalemate.

The government announced £24million for design and construction in 2016 – with hopes it would be completed by 2022.

Four objections are currently holding up the project, including one from Aberdeenshire Council.

“They’re playing Russian Roulette with people’s lives every day,” the florist, from Brechin, said. “They need to stop blaming each other and work together to get it done.

“Safety is the priority.”

Oatyhill closures continue

It was revealed last year that the plans for the upgrade were being held up partly due to an unsafe bridge.

Oatyhill Bridge – a 170-year-old railway crossing – was closed to all vehicles in July 2020 due to “serious concerns over the integrity and strength of the structure”.

Aberdeenshire Council has objected to the flyover as blocking off the existing Oatyhill junction would leave residents with just a single point of access over the now-closed bridge.

A local authority spokesman said: “Aberdeenshire Council is committed to support the project and anticipate that a technical solution can be found to both deliver the long-awaited junction improvement, but also maintain safe access to the dwellings south of Oatyhill.

“Aberdeenshire Council continues to meet regularly with Transport Scotland and their technical team to look at solutions, and is committed to maintaining a high level of partnership working on the project.”

‘Lives matter’

It has been almost 18 years since 20-year-old Jamie Graham, from Fordoun, was killed in a crash at the junction. He became the fifth fatality near the spot in the space of just three years.

The latest collision took place just this week and resulted in two people being taken to hospital.

Mr Graham’s death caused Ms Fotheringham to begin her campaign.

“It took years to convince the government that lives matter. That his life matters. Now we’re in an absolute stalemate. I’m so angry,” she said.

Finding a resolution to A90 flyover objections

Transport Scotland, who is in charge of the flyover plans, is continuing to try and find a resolution to the objections.

If unsuccessful, a public inquiry may have to be held.

Ms Fotheringham continued: “If it goes to a public inquiry, the flyover will be held up for years.

“If everything had gone to plan, it would almost be done now. We’d be well on the way to completion, but instead, we’re at a standstill.

“The council is putting its own constituents at risk.

“Over 200 houses are being built just now which will just add further pressure on the junction. No more construction of any kind should happen until the flyover is in place.”

Possible flyover public inquiry

The Scottish Government is committed to completing the A90 Laurencekirk flyover work “as soon as possible”, according to Transport Scotland.

A spokesman said: “We received four objections to proposals during the statutory consultation period for the draft orders and we continue to work with objectors to resolve concerns where possible.

“Should we be unsuccessful in removing all objections a public local inquiry may be required. As with all trunk road projects this is the appropriate forum for considering objections received and not withdrawn.

“Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures, at which point a timetable for its progress can be set.

“When completed, the scheme will improve journey times, reduce delay and improve safety for all users. It will also improve transport links between Montrose and Laurencekirk and the A90 trunk road.”

Motorists breaking speed limit on A90 at Laurencekirk

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the highest number of drivers caught speeding in Scotland was on the A90 at the Laurencekirk A937 junction – where there is a 50mph speed limit in place.

A total of 5,724 speeders were captured by the average speed cameras at the spot between June 1, 2021, and May 31 this year.

Ms Fotheringham added: “The speeders show that the speed limit is not working. I go up that road every day and always see people speeding past.

“It’s just another reason this flyover needs built.”