Aberdeenshire Council has withdrawn a technical objection against plans for a flyover at the blackspot A90 Laurencekirk junction in the region.

The Courier newspaper reports that the council has reached agreement with Transport Scotland around replacement of a 170-year-old bridge near the A90/A937 crossing.

It says campaigners hope it will now speed up progress on the scheme they have been demanding for more than 20 years.

The paper quotes a Transport Scotland statement saying: “Following ongoing constructive dialogue with Aberdeenshire Council, we are pleased that the council is now able to formally withdraw its objection, although we await formal written confirmation of this.

“This will enable us to take forward the necessary design development and assessment work, and further statutory process required to resolve the issue of the access to Oatyhill.”

(Picture – Transport Scotland)