Commuters in an Aberdeenshire town are facing days of rush-hour misery due to prolonged road works to instal super-fast broadband.
And Station Road, Ellon, could be hit by further disruption next week as Aberdeenshire Council works to widen a pathway on the same street get under way.
The road is one of the main routes through Ellon and frequently experiences early-morning congestion due to people travelling from the country into Aberdeen and other areas for work.
Yesterday morning lengthy queues formed near the junction with Union Street, with several drivers carrying out U-turns to head for other ways out of Ellon.
There are currently three sets of traffic lights on the road as work by BT to instal fibre optic broadband in the town is carried out.
However, the project is said to have run into “problems”.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “It’s nothing to do with us, BT are installing fibre optic broadband but came into some problems with a connection.
“We are happy with their set-up. Our own road works are not due to start until February 23.”
Ellon and district councillor, Rob Merson, said: “I am aware of the situation but have not received any complaints directly. I am sure the improvement and provision of broadband will certainly be welcomed because I have certainly been approached on that subject.
“I’d suggest wherever possible that motorists try to use different paths, divert and travel north rather than south and try to use alternative routes that would take pressure off the road.
“We’re trying to deal with a historic, traditional town-centre that was never built to keep up with the volumes of traffic it has got. We can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs. People want super-fast broadband.”
The SNP councillor added that he was hopeful the work would be completed before the footpath improvements begin.
A BT spokesman said its programme should be completed by next week.
He said: “If our roadworks are also causing congestion then we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused while we increase the availability of next generation fibre broadband in Ellon
“All Openreach works are approved by the local roads authority and regularly monitored to ensure safe working.”
