A garage owner has accused Aberdeenshire Council of not doing enough to tackle road safety at the spot where an ambulance crashed while responding to a 999 call.
Two people were taken to hospital after Thursday’s accident, which involved an ambulance and 4×4, on the A93 Aberdeen to Aboyne road near Dinnet.
And last night Donald McHardy, who runs Dinnet Garage with his son Scott, claimed he had been campaigning for years to have the 30mph signs at the entrance to the village relocated to improve visibility for motorists.
Mr McHardy sen claimed he had been “going round in circles” with the local authority over the issue, but urged them to take immediate action to prevent another accident.
He said: “My son and I have spoken to Aberdeenshire Council, individual councillors, and the road department because of this problem time and time again, but we’ve just been going around in circles.
“The 30mph sign was moved a few years ago by about 200 yards into Dinnet, to make it easier to connect it to the electrical supply and illuminate it.
“There was no problem when the sign was down the road, but since they’ve moved it up here it blocks your vision of the road, and motorists don’t see it until it’s too late.”
His son added: “Everyone in the village has voiced their concerns as well, but it’s like banging your head against a brick wall.
“Hopefully we can get something sorted and get this sign moved back before something like this happens again.”
Local councillor Geva Blackett said: “Mr McHardy has expressed his concerns about the 30mph speed limit signs before, and I have relayed them to the roads department, and the chief executive and I will now be going back to the roads department, asking them to re-look at the situation and possibly move these signs.
“I drove past the scene of the accident today and I completely understand what he’s saying, and we’ll be asking the roads department to come out and look at it as a matter of priority.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council’s roads department said: “Following the incident, the roads team will again review the issues raised and will discuss the matter further with local councillors.”