The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Pedestrian dies after being hit by car on New Year’s Day
Accident: Residents repeat speed concerns after man struck at Lonmay
“I think there should be a reduced speed limit”
A man who was visiting his family for Christmas has died yards from their home after being hit by a car on New Year’s Day.
The man, named locally as Gary Grant, was struck on the Fraserburgh to Peterhead stretch of the A90, at Lonmay, around 8pm on Wednesday.
A black Vauxhall Astra was involved in the collision. The road was closed for six hours while police investigated at the scene.
Traffic was diverted northbound along the B9033 to St Combs and southbound via the A952 at the Ban-Car Hotel.
Heavy rain and strong winds battered the northeast for much of the night and police had warned drivers to take extra care as standing water made conditions difficult.
Mr Grant, who was in his early40s, is thought to have been staying with his parents at Spillarsford Cottages, at Cortes, Lonmay, close to the scene of the accident.
Peterhead North and Rattray councillor Fiona McRae said: “As a resident of the area and a local councillor, my sympathies are with the family.
“This is a tragic accident to happen at any time of year, but especially when it is a time of celebration.”
Yesterday, Lonmay residents raised concerns about the speed limit on the main trunk road outside their homes.
One said: “I have been worried about the speed of some vehicles on the road for a few years now. I think there should be a reduced speed limit around the village.”
In November, Lonmay residents met transport chiefs to discuss options for the stretch. Bear Scotland road safety manager Alan Campbell told residents that he hoped to instal an advisory 30mph limit at a sharp bend in the road this month.
Earlier in September, Fraserburgh man Peter McKenzie, 42, died on the same stretch of road after his silver Mercedes was involved in a collision with a blue Peugeot 307.
And in June, a 40-tonne lorry fell on its side and ploughed into the front of a roadside home of Alex and Doris Smith, at Lonmay.
A man is due in court charged with speeding and faces an allegation that he was driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for others.
A police spokesman confirmed that a pedestrian had died at the scene of the latest accident.
He said: “Police Scotland attended the scene of a one- vehicle road traffic collision involving a male pedestrian at Lonmay.”
Police are appealing for anyone who might have seen a pedestrian.