Motorists are facing six weeks of traffic “chaos” in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as nearly 700 sets of roadworks are carried out during the school holidays.
Councils, telecommunication firms and utility companies have put a wave of road closures and traffic restrictions in place as they rush to get work done while the roads are quieter.
In Aberdeen, 215 separate roadworks will take place between now and August 18.
Across Aberdeenshire, 527 different works are scheduled over the same period.
Last night, there was concern that so many had been planned for the same time.
Aberdeen councillor Bill Cormie said there was potential for “chaos” – and called for proper co-ordination to ensure minimum disruption.
“It is a difficult one,” he said.
“On the one hand, it is good to see all of the works being done together rather than in dribs and drabs.
“But there is no denying that this amount of work is going to cause problems in some parts of the north-east.”
The SNP member for Rosemount and Midstocket said planning was essential to ensure co-ordination.
“I have a lot going on in my ward and it is going to cause chaos for commuters,” he said.
“The most important thing is that all the work is carried out properly, so they don’t have to come back and do it again.”
The most problematic works will be at Mugiemoss Road in Aberdeen, where Barratt is building 288 new homes.
Aberdeen City Council recently granted an extension to a traffic order for the closure of the road up to August 18 – an in-service day ahead of pupils returning after summer.
Council chiefs said contractors would be working “seven days a week to meet the new date”.
Aberdeen MSP Mark McDonald, who has raised concerns about the closure, said: “I hope that all measures will be taken to mitigate any increase in traffic during this period of further delay and that all steps are taken to get the road reopened as soon as possible.”
The A90 Aberdeen to Ellon road will have restrictions on Tuesday, while work is carried out near the Cock and Bull restaurant at Balmedie.
Three days worth of work is also being planned for the A90 Parkway later this month.
