Aberdeenshire council met with Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland and Grampian Police for a site meeting in December last year, and three options were discussed.

They included closure of the central reservation gap opposite Bruntland Road, closure of Bruntland Road at its junction with the A90 and measures to allow a left turn only from Bruntland Road to the A90.
Aberdeenshire Council were asked to conduct a traffic model survey to see what impact, if any, the options would have on the road network. The result of the traffic model was that any of the three options would have a "minimal impact" on traffic.

North Kincardine Councillor Carl Nelson said that lowering the speed limit was also discussed at the site meeting but that cars travelling slower would result in "nose to tail traffic" making it nearly impossible for vehicles to turn right at peak times.

The PDCC unanimously agreed that the third option would be best, allowing left turns only from Bruntland Road onto the A90. Chairman Gordon Munn said: "The danger is people turning right and crossing the carriageway. People can't judge the speed of cars."

The community council was also against closing Bruntland Road completely, effectively making it a cul-de-sac, with some members branding it as "over the top" and "unnecessary."

Mr Munn said: "I can't see that option not having an impact on traffic. That would mean all traffic coming and going from Portlethen would have to use the flyover."

Concerns were also raised that if there was an accident, there would be no where for traffic to go. Community Councillor Dorothy Foreman said: "Often there is an accident at the underpass coming out of Portlethen and that road is used as a diversion. If it was closed, and there was an accident northbound, cars wouldn't get into Aberdeen."

Mr Munn said he would prefer a slightly different option to closing the gap completely. He said: "My preference is that if they close a central reservation they use a gated option, rather than tarmacking it. Because then if they do need to set up a diversion, the police can open it up again. It would be a discretionary junction."

North Kincardine Councillor Paul Melling, who has been campaigning for something to be done at the junction for years, said: "The bottom line is we have to consider what is the safest option at that junction. I don't want to see the cheapest option being implemented without due consideration from a safety aspect."

BEAR Scotland are discussing these options with Transport Scotland with a view to seek funding. A BEAR Scotland spokesperson said: "Potential options for possible alterations at this junction are currently being looked at. This includes analysis of traffic movement at the junction to determine the effects that potential options may have on traffic. However, no alterations have been confirmed at this stage."