Campaigner sees end to 16-year rollercoaster

A woman who has spent 16 years campaigning for improvements on the A90 at Laurencekirk has described it as the “worst rollercoaster I’ve ever been on”.

Jill

Fotheringham has been calling for a grade-separated junction there since the death of 20-year-old Jamie Graham in 2004.

While she had not met him, the florist said she was compelled to act after seeing the impact it had on his relatives.

In 2016, the Scottish Government pledged £24 million towards the cause, with the hope of completion by 2022.

But last month it was revealed that four people have objected to the plans – which could set progress back several years.

This week marked 16 years since Ms Fotheringham’s initial decision, which led to a long-running petition and numerous meetings with officials at Holyrood.

“It has been horrible,” she said.

“It has always felt like one step forward and two steps back, with another reason why it can’t go ahead.

“We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now, but it has been a long time.

“The frustrating thing now is that there are four objectors but I’m hoping these can be sorted relatively quickly so 2022 will still be realistic.”

Ms Fotheringham said the people who have been killed at the junction in years gone by have kept her pushing for change.

“I didn’t know Jamie but I saw the look on his brother and sister’s faces when they came into my shop.

“For people so young to know so much grief – I never want to see that again.

“And if we can save just one family with this junction, that will help.”

Jill Fotheringham at the A90 Laurencekirk junction