Campaigners fighting for a flyover at a Mearns blackspot have told Transport Scotland: “You have no more excuses.”
A public exhibition has been held at the Dickson Hall in Laurencekirk to seek views on proposed options for junction improvements for the A90 and A937.
CH2M HILL, an engineering consultancy, has been commissioned by the North East of Scotland Transport Partnership (Nestrans) to develop proposals for improving access to Laurencekirk.
Campaigners now want transport chiefs to take their pleas for a flyover seriously as the study indicates that option is the only way forward.
A total of seven packages were unveiled, but one involving average speed cameras was rejected, leaving six, all of which include a grade-separation at the south junction.
Laurencekirk florist Jill Fotheringham started pressuring politicians for action in 2004 after she became tired of producing wreaths for victims’ families.
She said: “Every single option left on the table includes a grade-separation at the south junction, so it’s very encouraging.
“That is what we have been trying to tell them for 10 years but I’m still worried they are dangling a carrot in front of our noses.
“CH2M Hill has given them hard facts, and if this isn’t taken forward it would be heartbreaking.”
The aim of the study is to develop a case for a preferred solution for access to the A90 trunk road and Laurencekirk and Montrose.
The A937 is the only A-class road on the A90 without a flyover and has long been known as dangerous.
Campaigners have spent 10 years calling for safer grade separation of the junction, but Transport Scotland has failed to commit to any spending.
Montrose councillor David May said: “There has been a massive delay, which is unnecessary, and there is no doubt they have had the money in the bank but made a decision that this was not a priority.
“This is now providing them with the evidence and there is no doubt in our view that we need a grade-separated junction and I think this shows it as well.
“I think the transport minister has a huge problem because he can’t ignore the evidence that is there.
“There is no excuse not to build the junction, absolutely none. It shouldn’t be a political issue, it should be a safety issue.”
Marykirk woman Karen Ogilvie said she uses the junction every day to get back and forth to Laurencekirk but never feels safe.
She said: “I finish work early at 3.30pm because it’s not safe to use the junction at rush hour.
“I know a lot of people who stay in Marykirk who simply won’t go to Laurencekirk because the junction is too dangerous.
“That has an impact on local business because people would rather go to Montrose than go across the A90.
“Today has been a long time coming and I just hope we will be able to see a junction at the south in the near future.
“We also have to think about the next generation of drivers. My daughter is nearly at driving age and I wouldn’t want her crossing that junction.”
The study was part-funded by Transport Scotland and supported by Aberdeenshire Council.
There will be further opportunity to comment online at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
The website will contain all the information displayed at the event and there will be the opportunity to comment until February 28.
Alison Irvine from Transport Scotland said they would assess the feedback and the preferred options before moving forward to the next assessment stage.
She added: “We are very pleased we have got to this stage with the study.”