Local Councillors continue to press for action at the Bruntland Road - A90 junction at Portlethen

12.00.00pm GMT Wed 6th Jan 2010

Local Councillors continue to press for action at the Bruntland Road - A90 junction at Portlethen

Councillors have met police and roads officials to discuss the options for the dangerous Bruntland Road - A90 junction at Portlethen.

The accident blackspot was the scene in December of a crash between a Stagecoach Bluebird bus and a van.

As a result a passenger gave birth to a baby girl four weeks early. The woman, from Laurencekirk, is understood to have been 35 weeks pregnant and required an emergency caesarean section. Two men had to be cut free from the van.

The bus was turning right into Portlethen on its way from Stonehaven to Aberdeen just before 5.30 that evening.

As a result the southbound carriageway was closed for several hours, creating massive tailbacks for commuters.

This was the most recent serious accident at the junction. It has been the scene of many crashes, including three accidents last year, and the death of a motorcyclist in 2006.

Local Liberal Democrat councillors Paul Melling and Ian Mollison met police along with Aberdeenshire Council and BEAR roads officials at the site to discuss how the junction could be made safer.

Councillor Melling has been campaigning for years to improve the junction. He has appeared before the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee in an effort to persuade the Scottish Government - which is responsible for the A90 - to take action.

"I have been pressing for a slip road for traffic coming south on the A90 to be able to turn safely into Bruntland Road. However, we need to look at the wider issues, given the accident involving the bus."

Councillor Mollison added: "I have used the junction many times over the years, and it requires great concentration to cross safely. Perhaps with the increasing volumes of traffic it is time to look at other measures."

Among the options to be considered will be closing the gap in the central reservation opposite Bruntland Road on the A90. Stagecoach Bluebird buses are already using the nearby Badentoy flyover rather than turning right at the junction.

Officials will be assessing traffic flows and considering the impact of various options before a decision is made by Transport Scotland. The meeting was arranged by BEAR on behalf of Transport Scotland. One of the ward's two other councillors, Carl Nelson, also attended.