Scottish Water has scrapped plans at the eleventh hour, which could have resulted in a fortnight of traffic chaos at the north-east’s most notorious roundabout.
Road lanes were due to be closed to the south and west of the Haudagain in Aberdeen for two weeks from Monday to allow vital water and sewer works to be carried out, ahead of Transport Scotland’s Haudagain Improvement Scheme.
The A90 North Anderson Drive was scheduled to be reduced to one lane for a week from Monday at the roundabout, and the A96 Great Northern Road was due for the same treatment from January 23.
But, following a review Scottish Water has announced the roads will remain open for the duration of the works.
A spokesman for the utility company said: “In order to minimise disruption to locals in Aberdeen, Scottish Water has changed plans to have a lane closure in place on the A90 and A96 at the Haudagain roundabout.
“In order to further minimise any inconvenience we, along with our contractors Amey, have now amended the working methods which will allow the work to be carried out without the need for any lane closures.
“All work will be carried out within the footpaths and verges next to the A96 (week commencing January 16) and A90 (week commencing January 23).”
Although the lanes will remain open, there will be minor traffic management in place at a later date and during off peak hours to allow for CCTV survey work.
Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald, who has offices at the Haudagain, said: “It is reassuring that Scottish Water has clearly gone back and looked again to assess whether or not they could avoid the closure of the lanes.
“I am sure that commuters will be delighted to learn that not only will there be no disruption to their daily commute, but also that the works will still go ahead to allow the improvements to be made to the Haudagain and improve the traffic situation in the future.”
