North-east commuters are being asked to stand up and fight to have one of the region’s busiest roads dualled in its entirety.
Transport Scotland officials will be attending public meetings in Peterhead and Longhaven next Tuesday to hear the arguments for upgrading the A90 from Aberdeen to Fraserburgh.
Work is already underway to dual the stretch from Balmedie to Tipperty as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
However, Ellon councillor Gillian Owen is spearheading the Why Stop at Ellon campaign, calling for the work to extend along the entire length of the road.
Last night she made a plea to motorists and residents to attend, saying this was their opportunity to be heard.
She said: “The main thing is to get it out in the open because right now it is not really on the agenda. You drive along the road at the moment and you see all the work going on for the AWPR, and you say ‘why not keep going?’.
“I urge people to come along and tell Transport Scotland about their experiences and why we need this crucial stretch of road dualled.
“Hopefully we’ll get a good turnout. I just want people to get the opportunity. The north-east is open for business, but connectivity is bad.”
The North East of Scotland Transport Partnership (Nestrans) is currently carrying out an appraisal of travel connections between Aberdeen, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
This includes looking into the possibility of reopening the former Banff and Buchan railway line.
Chairman of Nestrans, Aberdeen city councillor Ramsay Milne, said: “The results of this study will help develop a number of options for improvement to infrastructure and connectivity that will benefit the users of this route.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Nestrans are currently undertaking an appraisal which will consider the strategic transport connections on the A90 from Fraserburgh and Peterhead to Aberdeen with a consultant team appointed by Nestrans and we await the reports findings with interest.
“We have been invited by Councillor Owens to meet with her to discuss local concerns and welcome the opportunity to do so.”
Head of technical analysis at Transport Scotland, Alison Irvine, will attend the meetings next Tuesday.
The Peterhead community centre event will run from 3-4pm and the Longhaven public hall one from 4.15-5pm.