An irate Aberdeen man has hit out at developers after they delayed the opening of a major north-east road.
Counteswells Road has been closed since May to allow the first stage of the £1billion Stewart Milne housing development to begin.
The road, which is shut between Hazledene Road and the Kirk Brae junction, had been due to open on Friday but will now remain inaccessible to vehicles until July 23.
In addition, the section between Kingswells roundabout and Blacktop Road will be closed between August and December.
Last night Philip Reid, who lives in nearby Craigton Road, claimed the developers had shown little regard for the people who used the busy route.
The auctioneer said: “They (the developers) just please themselves, they don’t worry about the public whatsoever.
“I walked up to check today and there is still a sign saying it’s closed till July 8.
“I have to make a complete detour just now, and now the other section of the road is going to be closed till December, they’re just taking over the whole area.
“The council isn’t worried about the public, they’re just happy to have more houses being built.”
The 3,000-home Counteswells scheme will include 750 affordable properties, schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and spaces for medium to small-sized businesses.
A spokesman for W M Donald, contractor for the infrastructure works, said: “The programme of road closures around Countesswells is required to bring essential utilities to the new community, including gas, electricity, water and telecoms services. The closures have been publicised in advance and alternative routes are available.
“The two-week extension to the closure of Countesswells Road is necessary because of time lost to the unusually wet weather and an unforeseen underground obstruction.
“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 with whom we continue to work closely.”
A spokesman for the authority said: “Aberdeen City Council is committed to ensuring contractors deliver projects on time but may be faced with unexpected delays which is out with the control of Aberdeen City Council. We will investigate the specific issues in this case.”
