Flyover project objection lifted by council

The campaign for safety improvements at the junction has run for several years

The project to build a long-awaited flyover at a busy Aberdeenshire junction has moved a step closer.

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed it has officially withdrawn a technical objection to the scheme on the A90 at Laurencekirk - which would see the construction of a new bridge at Oatyhill.

The campaign for safety improvements on the junction with the A973 has run for several years.

Transport Scotland said there were other objections to the scheme which remained outstanding and a local inquiry may be required.

A spokesperson said: "We are pleased that the council is now able to formally withdraw its objection, although we await formal written confirmation of this."

The withdrawal will allow design and assessment work to go ahead, before a statutory process to resolve access issues.

The council's director of environment and infrastructure services, Alan Wood, said the project would allow "safe access" for residents south of Oatyhill in the future.