Consultation launched on plans to improve Toll of Birness junction

Launched by Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with Nestrans, the consultation will focus on preliminary design options for a potential roundabout at the key A90/A952 junction, aimed at improving both the operation of the junction and traffic flow for thousands of motorists who use the route every day.

It’s the culmination of several years of collaborative work between Aberdeenshire Council, Nestrans and Transport Scotland to identify a suitable long-term solution for the junction.

Funded through the Aberdeen City Region Deal, the latest work builds on recent Nestrans transport appraisals and detailed studies of the A90 and A952 corridors. 

Potential improvements were assessed using the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), ensuring options are rigorously evaluated against safety, sustainability and economic criteria. The project forms part of a wider effort to enhance safety and future-proof one of the north-east’s most important trunk road links.

A public drop-in exhibition will take place at Hatton Public Hall on Wednesday, September 2 from 2pm to 7pm, where attendees can view the proposed designs, speak directly to project representatives and provide feedback.

The exhibition will also include information on appraisal work for the Cortes junction on the A952 south of Fraserburgh.

Councillor Alan Turner, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee and vice-chair of Nestrans, said: “Toll of Birness is a busy junction on a key route and it is vital that we continue to look at how we can improve safety for all road users.

“Incidents around this location have at times been serious and this reinforces why we are bringing forward these proposals. These designs are the result of several years of partnership working between Aberdeenshire Council, Nestrans and Transport Scotland to identify the most appropriate solution for the junction.

“Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans are clear that we must also try to future-proof the Toll of Birness for planned growth, including new housing and major commercial developments which are key to supporting our local economy.”

Chair of the Aberdeen City Region Deal and co-leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Cllr Anne Stirling, added: “This important project has been supported through the Aberdeen City Region Deal, which is helping us develop robust designs and business cases for strategic transport improvements. Building on many years of technical assessment and joint working with our transport partners, we are now at an important stage where local communities and road users can help shape the preferred option.

“It is essential that we develop the strongest possible case with clear designs and costings so that we are well placed when national funding opportunities arise to progress to scheme delivery. I would encourage everyone with an interest in this vital route to get involved in the consultation, either online or at the public event.”