Fed-up residents of an Aberdeenshire hamlet have taken action to prevent a series of “near-misses” becoming a serious accident.
Residents of Blairdaff claimed overgrown trees and broom bushes blocked motorists’ visibility as they tried to negotiate a narrow bend, forcing them into the middle of the road.
But several cars reportedly bumped wing mirrors as they met oncoming traffic, prompting fears there could be a more serious accident on the Blairdaff to Chapel of Garioch.
Despite complaining to Aberdeenshire Council, no action was taken – although last night roads bosses said this was because it had not been deemed necessary on their last inspection.
But three local men – headed up by 71-year-old Brian Murray – disagreed, and spent four hours chopping back the bushes.
Retired farmer Mr Murray, of Blindburn, said: “It was quite a dangerous situation.
“There have been some near misses, there’s no doubt about it.
“It’s a very popular road to the Bennachie Centre, which attracts hundreds of people the area, especially at the weekends.”
Mr Murray enlisted the help of his son-in-law and a neighbour to help, and while one directed traffic the others sawed the trees back and cleared away the debris.
He added: “I’m not complaining about the council, they have got so much to do and their resources are limited, but we’ve already had lots of comments from people in the area about the difference it has made.”
Local resident David Andrew, who came across the work being carried out, praised the trio for their community spirit and said the work had made an “immediate improvement”.
He added: “It’s a very narrow road, people are generally very good but there have been occasions where their mirrors have been smashed. A lot of commuters use the road.
“They have done a really good job, and hats off to them for taking it upon themselves to do it.”
Philip McKay, the council’s head of roads and landscape services, said: “We regularly inspects roads, identifying any issues from vegetation on verges and private land that may cause damage to passing vehicles.
“Should we identify any such areas, we then take measures to contact the landowner to have them cut back or arrange for our landscape services team to carry out the necessary works.
“Shrubbery alongside the C117C Blairdaff to Chapel of Garioch road was not deemed to be posing such problems at the last inspection.”