Bear Scotland is to carry out maintenance works on the A92 southbound at Newtonhill.

This is taking place as a result of many accidents over recent years which have seen cars leave the carriageway, cross the pavement, mount the verge, crash into fencing and in several cases end up in gardens, coming to rest beside housing.

Bear Scotland tell me that: “The works will be to replace the deteriorated road surface on the main carriageway. It is vital that maintenance works are carried out in order to maintain the integrity and safety of the trunk road network.

“Our current programme of works on the A92 Newtonhill southbound for structural resurfacing will take place from 1 February to 5 February. The working hours will be from 7:30pm to 6:30am.

“A lane closure with a 10mph convoy will be in place. The Cammachmore crossover will have to be closed during the working hours; there will be signed diversions in place for motorists wishing to use this junction.

“Within the scheme a bus stop is present, after consulting with Stagecoach this bus stop will be closed during the working hours. Passengers will be dropped off at a bus stop further north of the scheme.

“A new road surface will have a high skid resistance/grip. This shall be complemented by the use of high reflectivity lining that increases the visibility of the edge lines and centre line in all weather conditions. These markings also have skid resistance properties and are profiled to produce vibration and an audible warning when a vehicle is in danger of leaving the road.

“It is hoped that this shall serve to prevent the loss of control incidents that have occurred in recent times.”

I have been pressing for a safety barrier along this stretch to protect pedestrians, residents and property.

I am told that regarding the safety fence installation, verge investigation works were also delayed due to the poor weather before the Christmas period. The trial pits to locate the underground services were completed last week and the design team are reviewing the findings to determine a solution that will fit best.

“As expected, there are a number of services within the verge that are positioned unfavourably which, coupled with the verge profile, make it difficult to accommodate a safety fence.

“This makes the design more challenging and we shall liaise with the service providers once we have developed the design further to hopefully come to a solution that suits all parties.”

The work is of course weather dependent.