The Angus Lib Dems have accused the Scottish Government of “dithering and delaying tactics” after it was announced it would take eight months to provide costings for a flyover at a blackspot near Laurencekirk.
For years residents including lead campaigner Jill Campbell have fought to have the A90 junction at the south of the town upgraded to a flyover.
Transport Scotland has not deemed it a priority despite four fatal collisions, 15 serious and 22 slight-injury accidents on the road near the town between 1999 and 2010.
However just weeks after taking up post, the SNP’s new transport minister Keith Brown visited the site on January 18 to make his own decision on the junction and immediately ordered a review of the costings.
The Lib Dems have now questioned why it will take until the end of the year to see any progress on the exercise.
North East MSP Alison McInnes said, “I congratulate the Laurencekirk campaigners, led so well by Jill Campbell, for their tenacity, and thank members of the Scottish Parliament’s petitions committee for doing all they can to keep the matter alive against the odds.
“In stark contrast, the SNP government has shown an utter lack of regard for the communities around these junctions.
“Their dithering and delaying tactics will not be readily forgiven by the voters in Angus and the Mearns.”
Estimates ranged from £4 million to £23 million and Transport Scotland are looking to bring an exact figure to the table.
Montrose councillor David May has contacted the petitions committee expressing his disappointment that the process would take so long.
He said, “I had hoped that there would be real progress with a new minister but he has just continued the tactics of his predecessor and it seems to be this is a cynical ploy by the SNP minister by this eight month delay.
“I agree with Mike Rumbles MSP who has pointed out that the information could be provided easily within two weeks.
“It is obvious to me that the SNP is not going to do anything about this junction and we will have to wait until there is a new transport minister after May 5.
“It beggars belief that this junction is not even in the SNP’s long term transport plan.”
A petition asking for the junction to be upgraded has attracted more than 8000 signatures.
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said the eight month period was a maximum estimate for the analysis.
She added, “A consultant has been appointed to undertake this study and we will look to complete this work at the earliest opportunity.”