Jon Hebditch
Motorists in Aberdeen can expect traffic chaos this morning, while engineers attempt to fix a suspected gas leak on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.
Last night, commuters faced lengthy tailbacks and gridlock around the King George VI roundabout on Great Southern Road after the southbound lane was closed from 6.30pm as SGN workers investigated the cause of the leak.
And council chiefs have warned that the lane would remain closed today during “peak traffic times”.
The street is a commuting hot-spot for workers making their way home to southern Aberdeenshire.
Last night a council spokeswoman said: “A suspected gas leak has led to an emergency southbound lane closure at the King George VI roundabout on Great Southern Road, Aberdeen from 6.30pm tonight.
“The temporary lane closure is to allow SGN [formerly known as Scotland Gas Networks] to carry out excavation work. The closure will remain in place during peak traffic times tomorrow and is expected to cause traffic delays.”
Gas leaks have previously led to traffic misery for other motorists around the north-east.
As recently as last month, a major gas leak caused traffic chaos on one of the north’s busiest roads. Part of a freshly-paved cycle path along the eastbound carriageway of the A96 Inverness-Aberdeen route started to bulge upwards as it poured out of an underground pipe.
Last night, workers with diggers were spotted on the King George VI bridge and cars were forced to negotiate their way around them.
A spokeswoman for SGN responded: “We’re working in Great Southern Road, Aberdeen, at the Great Southern Road/Riverside Drive roundabout, carrying out emergency repair work.
“We’re working on the southbound side of the road opposite the entrance to the Winter Gardens. It has been necessary to close both inside lanes in Great Southern Road while we carry out our work.
“There is also an inside lane closure in Riverside Drive as it joins Great Southern Road. Traffic can still pass our work area in the outside lanes.
“Our work will continue into tomorrow. We are aware that this is a busy route in Aberdeen and we’re sorry for inconvenience caused.
“We would like to thank road users and local residents for their patience while we complete our essential work.”
