Vital upgrades to two notorious junctions and the dualling of one of the north-east’s busiest roads are so essential that they should be done “tomorrow”, according to senior councillors.
The Formartine Area Committee met yesterday to discuss ambitious proposals, first revealed last year, to transform the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road north of Ellon.
Among the key elements of the plans are replacing the dangerous Toll of Birness and Cortes junctions, both of which have been the scene of multiple accidents in recent years.
They would be remodelled as roundabouts in an effort to reduce the number of accidents on that part of the road.
Aberdeenshire Council leader Jim Gifford said there was no question that the plans should move forward.
He said: “The Toll of Birness is a no-brainer, it should be done tomorrow if we were able to. A dual carriageway past Ellon is also a no-brainer.”
The proposals in the short term would cost between £10-15million and would include new roundabouts at Birness and Cortes as well as improvements to existing ones in the area,
New overtaking sections would be added on the A90 and the A952 road to Mintlaw.
In the longer-term the A90 from Ellon northwards would be dualled to the Toll and potentially further.
The total cost of the proposals is estimated to be between £35-52m.
Ellon councillor Gillian Owen has been campaigning for the junction to be addressed for a number of years.
She said it should be the priority as part of any transport improvements north of Aberdeen.
“The HGV traffic and the volume of cars from Ellon to Toll of Birness, particularly during rush hour, does necessitate upgrading,” Mrs Owen said.
“It’s created a situation where drivers are left frustrated and when they are frustrated that’s when they take unnecessary risks.
“I showed Transport Scotland representatives the Toll of Birness a few years ago and they were aghast it was still in existence.
“They were of the opinion that all of these types of junctions had been got rid of 20-years-ago – this is the final one.”
The council’s infrastructure services committee is due to discuss the plan at a meeting next week.
