Motorists have called on Transport Scotland to bring light to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).
A number of north-east residents and regular users of the road have written to MSP Liam Kerr over the issue, describing the darkness on the route as “chronic”.
Busy parts of the route, such as the Dyce expressway stretch, are said to be “pitch black” when darkness falls.
Now Mr Kerr has written to transport secretary Michael Matheson outlining the possibility of installing new safety measures.
He said: “I have now written to Michael Matheson asking for options to be considered because there is a clear problem with safety on the road at night due to the lack of lighting.
“Concerned drivers have contacted me about the issue, highlighting concerns regarding busy parts of the road.
“I acknowledge it’s unrealistic to have lights along the whole route but there is a clear need to address issues on busy stretches such as Dyce where it’s completely pitch black.
“Making improvements such as installing lighting on the road can go a long way to increasing safety and reducing the number of crashes.
“It is vital that safety measures are introduced on the expressway and not just at junctions along the route.
“This is especially true as we ease out of lockdown with more people using the road and as we head into winter.”
Drivers hopeful that lighting options could be considered by Transport Scotland ahead of the darker, winter months, have however been told such a step may not be appropriate, given the light pollution it might cause.
Transport Scotland said lighting on the AWPR had been designed “in accordance with the relevant design standards and guidance”.
A spokesman said: “Furthermore, a full independent road safety audit raised no issues with lighting prior to opening.
“The AWPR is a rural dual carriageway and therefore should not be fully lit apart from areas where there are obstacles, hazards or significant changes in road geometry, such as junctions.
“The potential adverse impact of additional lighting on nearby properties, ecology and the surrounding landscape was also carefully considered during the design phase of the project.”
