The Scottish Government has admitted it could take up to 10 years to build a North-east flyover, despite promises the “important upgrade” would be delivered “as soon as possible”.

Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown is now facing a backlash from fellow MSPs after he was unable to say when work on the Laurencekirk project would be carried out – but suggested it might not be before 2026.

The SNP administration announced in January plans to build a flyover at the notorious junction after a campaign by local residents.

At the time, then-Transport Minister Derek Mackay said the upgrade would be delivered “as soon as possible”.

But Mr Brown has now admitted he does not know when the £24 million scheme will be carried out, and suggested it could take up to a decade.

Tory MSP Alex Johnstone branded the apparent timescale “unbelievable”, while Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles described the revelation as a “broken promise”. He said: “People in the Mearns will be outraged to hear that the SNP is now saying it could be another 10 years before the long-awaited Laurencekirk flyover across the A90 is completed.”