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Urgent call for action on dangerous Huntly junction after two smashes within days of each other


By Pat Scott

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Calls have been made to upgrade a junction on the A96 at Huntly that links to Dufftown and the town centre after a string of bad accidents. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Calls have been made to upgrade a junction on the A96 at Huntly that links to Dufftown and the town centre after a string of bad accidents. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

TWO serious road traffic collisions within a matter of days have led to calls for a junction on the A96 Huntly by pass to be upgraded.

An online petition has been launched calling for something to be done at the junction for Tesco and the A920 Dufftown junction.

Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett has taken up the case and written to Transport Scotland urging them to instal a roundabout at what he describes as a “frightening” junction.

He claims lives will be lost if no action is taken.

Nicole Bostock who is admin for the Our Huntly Facebook page and lives near the location launched the petition after last week's smashes.

In one, the air ambulance was deployed and the casualties involved young children.

Calls have been made to upgrade a junction on the A96 at Huntly that links to Dufftown and the town centre after a string of bad accidents. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Calls have been made to upgrade a junction on the A96 at Huntly that links to Dufftown and the town centre after a string of bad accidents. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Ms Bostock said: "I live in the estate next to the junction and every day there are near misses. We hear blasting of horns day and night.

"The junction and road layout are poorly designed and would be better as a roundabout. I continually hear people say that something needs to be done."

More than 750 people have signed the petition but on social media, people claim that bad driving is to blame for many of the collisions - people overtake using the right hand turn lane.

People who have to exit regularly from the Dufftown road say that minor works to trim overgrown trees to clear the sightlines would improve safety.

George Wordie, chairman of Strathbogie Community Council said: "For years the junction has been the scene of many severe accidents - I have witnessed countless and I know the residents of Glass have grave concerns about crossing the junction. It's something raised regularly at our meetings.

"I really hope the authorities will investigate the junction and listen to the community. The community council has written time and again requesting tree pruning."

Tony Gill, chairman of Huntly Community Council said: "Any attempts in the past to persuade the authorities to improve it have always be thwart on the basis that the number of accidents do not justify making changes.

"Road users have increased and with Tesco and further housing in the area it has become a very busy junction. It should not take life threatening accidents to incite such improvements."

Coucillor Gwyneth Petrie
Coucillor Gwyneth Petrie

Aberdeenshire Councillor Gwyneth Petrie added: "Concerns are growing following a spate of further collisions. Transport Scotland need to urgently review the junction, and any possible measures that can be put in place to improve the safety of using it, before something much more serious happens."

Alexander Burnett said: “Crossing this junction is a frightening experience with traffic coming in three different directions. Drivers are forced to take their life in their own hands when they cross this junction with near misses being a daily occurrence.”

Police Scotland were asked for accident statistics for the junction.


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