Aberdeenshire councillors have backed a second attempt to prevent serious accidents from taking place at an historic arch.
The local authority has tried a number of measures over the years to prevent larger vehicles from travelling under Fettercairn Arch.
It has emerged, however, that changes made in 2015 have proved unsuccessful and may even have made the road more difficult for some motorists.
Councillor Colin Pike, who represents the North Kincardine ward, said the situation could be perceived as an embarrassment for the authority.
He said: “When we set all of these standards for developers to follow, it doesn’t look very good for us when we have to go back again to sort this out.
“It would be good if we could get something right the first time.”
In 2015, roads officers reduced the width underneath the arch to 7.5ft. Large kerbs were also installed on the approach to the structure.
In the years since those works were undertaken, however, it has become apparent the horizontal and vertical alignment of the road makes it difficult for cars and smaller vans to get through.
Yesterday the committee was asked to approve £13,000 of work to realign the B966 Brechin to Edzel road at the arch, install long flower planters to deter HGVs and improve the signage.
Provost Bill Howatson, Mearns ward, asked for assurances that the work would be carried out as quickly as possible but was left disappointed after roads officers told him it would be unlikely to start until much later in the year.
He said: “Basically I think we are back to where we started in 2015.
“I think people have waited long enough for this, I would hope this would be prioritised.”
