A north-east councillor has launched a petition calling for the A90 to be dualled all the way to Fraserburgh.
Independent councillor Ian Tait wants to ensure any moves to upgrade the key route north of Ellon will not leave the port out on the cold.
North-east transport partnership Nestrans is seriously considering the future of road and rail links in the region.
Launching his petition alongside members of the local community council, Councillor Tait said: “I believe that dualling the A90 from Aberdeen right up to Fraserburgh is essential for strengthening the Fraserburgh economy and to create new jobs and protect existing ones.
“Businesses across all sectors need good transport links to transport materials in and finished goods out.”
Mr Tait said road improvements were “essential” to attracting tourists and improving safety.
He added that he did not want Fraserburgh – which has been badly hit by redundancies at fish processor Young’s Seafood – to be “left out in the cold” by any local and national government decisions.
Last month the Nestrans board was presented with a detailed appraisal of the options for improving transport links in the Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh corridor.
Both road and rail options are being considered.
These include spending £113million dualling the A90 between Ellon and the Toll of Birness, and investing up to £260million to bring back a “heavy rail service” between Dyce and Ellon.
However, the appraisal report makes it clear investing in a dual carriageway north of the Toll of Birness junction would be too expensive in the short or medium term.
No funding has been identified for the transport packages being discussed by Nestrans.
The final appraisal report will be used to draw up a business case to encourage investment.
Mr Tait’s petition – which he is organising alongside Fraserburgh Community Council – will be presented to the Scottish Government to support a business case for funding.
