Eight hurt in three years at 'terrifying' Huntly Tesco junction
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NEW figures have led to renewed calls for improvements to a dangerous Huntly junction.
Eight have been injured in crashes at the junction near Tesco, between the A96 and the A920, over the last three years.
The figures, uncovered through a Freedom of Information request by a local MSP, show that the injuries were caused by a total of five accidents between 2020 and 2022.
Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, submitted the request for the information.
He said the “harrowing” figures make fast upgrade progress a priority.
One recent crash involving a car and a lorry ended with a woman and a young child both being injured.
In total, four have been seriously hurt over the three years while others have suffered minor injuries.
A petition created by local woman Nicole Bostok, is pushing for roads agencies to come together and build a roundabout to replace the problem junction.
Almost 860 people have joined Ms Bostok in supporting the roundabout bid.
In the petition, she writes: "I feel very strongly that Aberdeenshire Council, the Marr Area Roads department and Bear Scotland are the only ones who can stop the accidents and near misses by redesigning the A96 layout.
"I continually hear from people, after accidents have occurred, that something needs done about this part of the A96.
"The majority have suggested a roundabout."
After an annual assessment earlier this year, the spot was identified for “further investigation and mitigation”.
Alexander Burnett MSP, who has been campaigning for safety improvements and previously wrote to Transport Scotland, said: “Every day that passes without any work to upgrade this terrifying junction puts more and more people at risk of being injured when crossing the A96 near Huntly Tesco.
“These injury statistics are harrowing and provide further evidence that improvements like a roundabout need to be progressed for the safety of road users.
“Motorists are taking their life into their own hands when crossing the junction which is a terrifying predicament for the Scottish Government to put them in by not acting to resolve the safety issue here.
“These frequent collisions are having devastating consequences on the community each year and should act as a wake-up call for Transport Scotland to upgrade the junction as soon as possible.”
