No safety improvements being made on the A92 at Muchalls despite recent spate of crashes
Liam Kerr MSP is criticising Transport Scotland for "turning a blind eye" to the problem
Last updated 29th Jan 2024
No improvements will be made to the A92 at Muchalls, despite a number of recent accidents on that stretch of the road.
In March, a 17-vehicle incident caused injuries to seven people, with a car being wedged between a tree and a wall.
Just two days later, a 44-year-old man was taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on the same stretch of road, sparking concerns that collisions are becoming a “daily occurrence” on the route.
The A92 was also closed in both direction on Monday due to a crash between a lorry and bus.
Tory MSP calls out 'negligent attitude' of Transport Minister
North East MSP Liam Kerr wrote to Transport Scotland following the 17-vehicle collision, though Transport Minister and Aberdeen Central MSP, Kevin Stewart, confirmed that the road had not been included in the 2023/24 annual trunk road casualty reduction programme.
Mr Stewart added that "there were no personal injury accidents at the junction with Walker Drive in the last 5 years from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022".
Reacting to the response from Mr Stewart, Mr Kerr said: "Transport Scotland is ignoring the plight of motorists by not including the A92 in its improvement programme.
"In recent months, we have seen a spate of serious collisions on the road which could have resulted in people being killed.
"It shouldn’t take a fatality for the Scottish Government to take action on improving safety on the A92.
"At the very least, Transport Scotland should be carrying out an assessment to establish solutions to the problems. The fact Kevin Stewart won't even do that highlights the negligent attitude being taken towards the A92.
"Mr Stewart should be well aware of how dangerous Muchalls can be and I will continue to push both him and his government to sit up and take notice of the issues which have persisted over recent months."
A Muchalls resident who lives next to the scene of the 17-vehicle crash said: "It is time that Transport Scotland investigated this part of the A92 and consulted with local residents to ensure the safety of everyone who uses it.
"From our garden, we frequently hear the sound of horns and brakes due to someone being caught out by either flooding or catching up with a slow moving vehicle ahead of them.
"People's lives are at stake here and events of 24 March should serve as a warning to Transport Scotland that something seriously needs to be done."