A north-east MSP has raised concerns over news a major Aberdeen commuter road is to close until December.
As of next month the Cults to Kingswells road will be shut to traffic as construction of a major £1billion housing development begins.
The 3,000-home Stewart Milne project at Countesswells will include 750 affordable properties, schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and spaces for medium to small sized businesses.
But as work gets underway on the new community, which will be home to an estimated 7,000 residents, it is feared that the road closures for construction will cause major problems for residents travelling to and from work.
From August 19 to December 16 the road will be closed to all motorists except for access between the Kingswells roundabout and the route’s junction with Blacktop Road.
Ross Thomson, north-east regional MSP said: “I raised concerns when this application was going through the council planning process that the local infrastructure was ill-equipped to cope with a development on this scale.
“I remain of that view, and it is clear that this is a concern shared by many residents.
“I hope that the council, as roads authority, along with the developer will establish and maintain an open dialogue with those local residents throughout the various stages of work and will take on board the genuine concerns that are being expressed, as I know it will be frustrating for many residents.”
In addition, the Countesswells Road was due to be closed between its junction with Hazledene Road and the Kirk Brae junction from May 3 to July 8.
But this closure has now been extended until July 24.
A spokesman for W M Donald, the principle infrastructure contractor for the development, said: “The road closure is required to bring essential utilities to the new community of Countesswells, including gas, electricity and telecoms services.
“The closure has been publicised in advance and alternative routes are available.
“As contractor, we are working closely with local residents to minimise any disruption.
“We fully appreciate the inconvenience that infrastructure works may cause in the short term and we are doing our utmost to minimise the impact for local residents.
“We intent to reopen the road in sections as the works complete.”
