The Scottish Government has admitted it could take up to 10 years to build the Laurencekirk flyover – despite promises the “important upgrade” would be delivered “as soon as possible”.
Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown is now facing a backlash from fellow MSPs after he was unable to say when the work would be carried out – but suggested it might not be before 2026.
The SNP administration announced to great fanfare in January plans to build a flyover at the notorious junction after a campaign by local residents.
At the time, then-transport minister Derek Mackay said the upgrade would be delivered “as soon as possible”.
But Mr Brown has now admitted he does not know when the £24million scheme will be carried out, and suggested it could take up to a decade.
Last night, Tory MSP Alex Johnstone branded the apparent timescale “unbelievable”, while Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles described the revelation as “broken promise”.
He said: “People in the Mearns will be outraged to hear that the SNP is now saying it could be another 10 years before the long-awaited Laurencekirk flyover across the A90 is completed.”
Mr Rumbles added: “We’ve waited t10 years for the SNP to upgrade the A90 Laurencekirk junction now we’re being told to wait 10 more. It’s simply not good enough.”
Locals in Laurencekirk have been calling for action – in the form of a flyover or underpass – on the Aberdeen-Dundee route at its junction with the A937 to Montrose for years.
