A north-east community has expressed concerns that an “accident is waiting to happen” at a bus stop near a busy commuter route.
Children and people who need to catch buses from Ladysbridge to Fraserburgh or Banff are being forced to travel from the village to the stop on the A98 Portsoy-Fraserburgh road.
They have to negotiate the journey with only a grass verge to walk on and no street lights.
And while they wait to be collected, their presence at the stop forces motorists from the nearby junction to the village to edge out onto the road in the hope the route is clear of traffic.
This situation has provoked calls for action from the village’s community council before there is a serious accident in and around the bus stop.
Local councillor, John Cox, has intervened and visited the site this week to discuss potential options with residents.
He said last night the council’s roads department would be consulting with traffic police about how to progress the matter.
Mr Cox added: “Cars overtake at that junction because it is a clear and open road. It means it is only an accident waiting to happen.
“The other issue is that the bus stop is very close to the road’s edge. In winter, kids can be standing out and block the view from the junction – making it hard for cars to come out safely.”
He explained: “Aberdeenshire Council’s roads department is now going to consult police.
“There is potential here to relocate the bus shelter itself further back from the road, and we will look at putting in a proper footpath for people to walk on to keep them off the road.”
Ross Balharry, chairman of the community council, added: “I’ll be happy to see the bus stop pushed back.
“There are cars overtaking right at the junction which is a problem. So we’re pleased that Aberdeenshire Council is taking this on.”