Transport chiefs are being urged to fix a “death trap” junction on the A96, following concerns improvements have not gone far enough.
The notorious junction next to Huntly Tesco has been identified in the latest annual road safety review for “further investigation and mitigation”.
The review comes after a spate of serious accidents at the spot which connects the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness and A920 Dufftown road.
Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett has made the plea to roads bosses to stop “terrifying collisions from happening on a regular basis”.
Government agency Transport Scotland says it has carried out a number of improvements at the site to reduce the frequency of accidents.
These include road resurfacing, reinstating road markings, upgrading signage, and cutting back vegetation in the north-west verge to improve visibility.
‘Death trap’ junction
A Transport Scotland spokesman said the junction has been identified for “further investigation and mitigation”, after an annual assessment was carried out.
He added: “A conflict study has also recently been undertaken at this location.
“This is currently being reviewed by Transport Scotland’s operating company to determine if any further measures are required following the recent upgrades.”
But Mr Burnett wants more action – including consideration of a roundabout.
He said: “While I welcome short-term improvements such as resurfacing and new road markings, this is not enough to stop terrifying collisions from happening on a regular basis.
“Instead of trying to cover the cracks, the Scottish Government should be looking at altering the design of the junction which in its present form is a death trap.
“I await the findings of the study which will hopefully illustrate the dangers posed to drivers crossing the road.
“Recent accidents continue to have a devastating impact on the community which is why safety options such as a roundabout should be considered by Transport Scotland.”
There has been a wider row brewing over the dualling of the A96 route since the SNP and Greens entered into a power-sharing deal last year.
The SNP pledged to fully dual the route by 2030 but this is now subject to an “evidence-based” climate review which will publish its findings at the end of the year.
