Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Evans has contacted two cabinet ministers to ask for more detail about planned rail and road improvements in north Angus and the Mearns.
Responding to concerns about timescales for rail improvements outside Montrose and the upgraded junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk, Ms Evans is looking to find out precisely what needs to be done before work starts.
Ms Evans has written to the cabinet secretary for the economy, jobs and fair work Keith Brown asking for an update to the planned rail improvements between Usan and Montrose.
This was announced as one of the projects that would be taken forward by the Scottish Government as part of plans to improve journey times between Aberdeen and the Central Belt and aims to increase capacity on the line to benefit the North East.
Ms Evans said: “The one-and-a-half mile section of single track between Usan and the South Esk viaduct at Montrose Basin acts as a bottleneck, restricting improvements to train frequency and running times.
“I welcomed the announcement earlier this year that these improvements would be funded as a package alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal because it is vital for the North East region that this is looked at and addressed.
“That is why I have asked the Scottish Government for detail on these proposals to allow this vital project to progress.”
Also announced as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal was £24 million funding for the design and construction of a new grade separated junction at Laurencekirk.
Ms Evans said she would be doing as much as possible to ensure the quick delivery of the new flyover on the A90.
“The transport minister Humza Yousaf recently announced that the earliest possible construction date for this work would be 2021.
“I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are concerned at the timescales proposed for construction of the junction.
“I have contacted the transport minister and have raised the issue in chamber with the Cabinet Secretary as well as at committee, asking for a detailed outline of the work which needs to be undertaken between now and construction.
“I will be doing everything I can to ensure that the Laurencekirk junction is delivered as speedily as possible and that no time is wasted in providing this vital upgrade.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The development of rail infrastructure options are on-going and includes consideration of opportunities to increase capacity on the single track section between Montrose and Usan.
“The timescales for delivery remain in line with previous commitments, with implementation from the next rail control period starting in 2019.”
“We want to see a grade separated junction delivered at Laurencekirk. However, we must observe the statutory process which includes preparatory development work, detailed design, consultation with local communities and dealing with any objections to proposals.
“We will continue to push forward work to deliver this scheme as soon as possible.”
