Dualling needed on more of A90

SIR, – In the interests of safety and economic prosperity the A90 is surely a road that should be dualled from Ellon to Peterhead. In particular, the Toll of Birness junction is a major accident blackspot and the Peterhead ring road is fast becoming congested during rush-hour periods.

These roads are all of single carriageway construction and are used daily by vast numbers of HGV traffic supporting the economy of the north-east within the oil and gas and fishing industries.

These industries are vital to the local, national and international economy and are competing in a competitive market with a road infrastructure that has not been upgraded north of Ellon since the late 1970s.

This, in some cases, is placing local businesses at a competitive disadvantage which is unacceptable.

When the AWPR is fully opened it will be possible to drive from Istanbul to Ellon on dual carriageway, yet for the last 16 miles north to Peterhead we are driving on a single carriageway road that is dangerous and not fit for purpose.

Over 10 years ago Alex Salmond made an election promise to sort this road for good. The result was no action and another failed promise.

I fully support the efforts of the Dual Peterhead Campaign Group.

I urge Nestrans and the Scottish Government to listen to the group’s request and offer serious and careful consideration.