A senior councillor has said politics will not be a factor in any decision to invest in safety improvements on a notorious north-east road.
The Press and Journal revealed yesterday that fatalities on the A947 Aberdeen to Banff road have cost the region £16million in the past five years alone.
Now as members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Banff and Buchan area committee prepare to discuss an ongoing public consultation, chairman John Cox has once again called for action to upgrade the route.
Last night he said: “For years the issue has been ignored. If it takes 10 years to implement all the improvements, then at least we will have made a start.
“Politics is not a factor – we have to do what’s best. It’s such a sensitive issue with the tragedy and loss of life there has been on the A947 and that has to rise above everything else.”
Figures from Transport Scotland show every road death has an economic impact of £1.7million, rising to £2million on rural roads such as the A947.
The figure takes into account factors such as the grief and suffering caused to victims’ families, injury, medical and insurance costs, damage to vehicles and property and the cost to emergency services.
In comparison, the average cost to the local council of installing a layby for slow-moving vehicles to ease congestion is £45,000.
National road safety campaigners have joined the Banff councillor in backing urgent change on the 38-mile route.
Dave Nichols, spokesman for the charity Brake, said: “The associated costs of every death on our roads is estimated at £1.7million, which proves that road safety measures are an investment that pays for itself many times over in the long run.
“Road injuries put a strain on health services. Bereaved families not only face the shock and grief of losing a loved one in sudden, violent and preventable circumstances, but also long-term emotional trauma, complex practical matters, financial difficulties, and health problems.”
Mr Nichols added: “Investing in road safety engineering, enforcement and education will not only save money in the long run, but will mean thousands of people will not have to experience the horror that is losing a loved one needlessly on our roads.”
Councillors will meet on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing public consultation.
