They include improvements to the B999/Shielhill Road junction, removing the tight bend on the B999, and widening verges on Shielhill Road. In addition, a reduction in speed limit is proposed for the approaches to the junction.

Council co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Improvements to the B999 and Shielhill junction will make a big difference to both motorists who use the road and local people who live in the area.

“I hope motorists, other road users, and local residents take the opportunity to have a look at the online information to see how the changes will improve this section of road and the junction.”

Options were considered and the preferred solution, which will provide substantial road safety benefits while also retaining junction capacity, has been identified.

The improvements consist of two parts - B999 Realignment and Junction Reconfiguration and Shielhill Road Visibility Improvements.

The junction reconfiguration includes:

• Realignment of more than 300m of the B999 to remove the tight bend immediately north of the junction by introducing a relaxed curve to the east of the current B999;
• Reconfiguration of the B999/Shielhill Road junction;
• A culvert extension on the east of the existing culvert at the Burn of Mundurno to accommodate the realigned carriageway;
• Widened verges on the B999 to improve visibility.

The road visibility improvements include:

• Removal of the dry stone wall on the northern side of Shielhill Road over the extents of the double bend;
• Widening of the verge on the northern side of Shielhill Road over the extents of the double bend;
• Regrading of slopes within the field on the northern side of Shielhill Road over the extents of the double bend.

The detailed design is underway and, subject to land acquisition, it is anticipated that the improvements will be complete in 2026.

As part of the improvements, reductions in speed limit to 40mph are proposed for a section of the B999 including the junction improvement, along the east section of Shielhill Road, and around Murcar roundabout.

To establish the new 40mph speed limit, a Traffic Regulation Order will need to be promoted. This is part of a separate statutory process that will be undertaken in parallel by the Council’s Traffic Management and Development Team.

The online engagement for the B999/C19C Shielhill Road junction improvements is available here.