At a meeting in Forfar last Tuesday, convener David May proposed a motion, which was seconded by councillor David Fairweather, which urged the Government to find a solution to the accident problem on the A90 Lochlands junction be expedited in a manner which maintained effective access to Forfar from the A90 via the A932.

The motion also stated the Scottish Government should not use the reason of "lack of available funding" to impose a substandard solution on the people of Forfar."

However, it sparked questions from opposition councillors who felt the wording was not specific enough and was open to interpretation.

Kirriemuir and Dean Councillor Iain Gaul, who has publicly called for a grade-separated junction at Lochlands, stated he was "not too happy" with the wording of the motion and, whilst he wanted to support Councillor May, he could not do so as "this motion means nothing".

Councillor Frank Ellis felt the way forward was for a more detailed proposal to be brought back to members.

He added: "We need concrete proposals, if you will pardon the pun. This motion is lacking in detail. I am not sure what we are wanting."

Councillor Bob Myles stated the motion had been kept open so that all aspects could be explored.

During a 20 minute debate Councillor Gaul stated the motion being proposed was "open to abuse" and whilst the road had been open for "20 odd years", he stressed there was "no need to scramble" .

Councillor Alex Murray agreed, adding the motion was "without detail" and that the wording should be tightened up and brought back to the next meeting.

Councillor Alex King reminded members the Lochlands junction was not the only one looking for funding for improvement and he called for a "much more specific" argument to be put forward.

Councillor Gaul put forward an amendment that Councillor May's motion be deferred to enable a further, more detailed motion to be brought back to the next meeting of Infrastructure Services.

However, Councillor's May motion was voted through by eight votes to seven.

Speaking after last Tuesday's meeting, Councillor May reiterated his concerns about the effect closure of the central reservation at the Lochlands junction would have on the local traffic network, especially at the West Port junction, Westfield Loan and West and East High Street.

As a regular customer at the Lochlands garden centre he was well aware of the road layout.

He said: "Being a parent I am especially concerned for pupils going to and from Langlands Primary School.

"As far as I am concerned we can't let cost get in the way of safety when speaking about a solution - that is the bottom line as far as I am concerned."

Councillor May was concerned about the number of HGVs which would be forced to use the Glamis Road if the central reservation at the Lochlands junction is closed.

"That will put enormous pressure on the roads system which can hardly cope with the level of traffic just now. The roads were not built to cope with traffic."

After seeing his motion voted through, Councillor May stated it was "absolutely vital" things moved forward.

He continued: "Traffic levels increasing by a third moving along the Glamis Road appals.

"If the central reservation is closed then we should look for another solution and that is up to Transport Scotland.

"We don't want a substandard solution but one that meets the criteria of safety."

Councillor May expressed disappointment that the SNP wouldn't support his motion last Tuesday.

He added he hoped the matter would move forward, with safety being the top priority, and that North Tayside MSP John Swinney would support calls for improvements at the junction.