Deeside drivers are facing the prospect of huge diversions with the closure of two major roads next month.
And the news has prompted one businessman to fear for the impact on his livelihood.
Motorists will have to negotiate a 10-mile detour when the A93 Aberdeen to Braemar North Deeside Road closes for surface dressing works between Tullich Cemetery and Newton Cottage from Monday for five days between 9am and 4pm.
A diversion will take drivers across the Dinnet Bridge onto the South Deeside Road, and back onto Bridge Street in Ballater.
Last night, Peter Gray, owner of Campfield Filling Station near Torphins said he feared for his business with the additional closure of the A980 Banchory to Torphins road, which also comes into force on Monday until September 18.
The route will be shut from Campfield to its junction with the B977 Raemoir to Banchory road for Aberdeenshire Council drainage works.
Mr Gray, said: “With the closure, I am concerned that I will lose my passing trade, but I want to reassure all my customers that the station will be running as normal and that the 24-hour pay at pump service will still be available.
“The business has been in the family for 53 years, though I cannot remember a road closure this big affecting us.”
Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside SNP councillor, Geva Blackett, said it would be “business as usual” at the station during the works.
Speaking on the A93 closure, she added: “The work has to be done, full stop, but it will increase traffic through Ballater.
“The South Deeside Road is windy and narrow, so people are going to have to really slow down and leave earlier, because it will add extra time to their journeys.”
Last night, Jim Anderson, chairman of the Ballater and Crathie Community Council, added: “If the council recognise that the road needs to be sorted, then the road needs to be sorted.
“It will cause disruption, but it is not going to cause massive disruptions.”
The council’s head of roads, landscape services and waste, Philip Mckay, said: “The closure of the A980 is necessary in the interests of public safety and the safety of the workforce whilst work to repair a stone built culvert is carried out.
“The culvert is currently blocking and at times of prolonged or intense rainfall, water flows across the road.
“It is essential to insure that the culvert is repaired before the onset of winter. We have attempted to ensure that the disruption to local businesses and residents is minimal, however the work cannot be completed without a complete closure of the road.”
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