North-east politicians have condemned motorists who continue to drive past road closure signs as the region tries to recover from horrendous flooding.
The emergency services have urged drivers not to jeopardise the recovery process by ignoring signs that have been erected to keep people safe.
Former First Minister Alex Salmond visited areas that have been affected yesterday, including Inverurie, where he praised the actions of the emergency services.
But the Gordon MP also pleaded with people to adhere to signs which had been put in place for safety.
“The community response has been excellent on the whole and I know people are appreciative of the emergency services and council workers,” he said.
“However, whilst the response by the community and services to the floods has been extremely good, even within the context of a good operation such as this have issues of concern been recognised.
“Particularly by the community who have commented that a few continue to ignore road signs, causing further damage and distress.
“It is likely that those people responsible do not realise that their driving in such flood affected areas have caused waves which were overtopping into some people’s homes.
“People are not aware that their actions may be having an adverse effect on their neighbours which they did not foresee.
“People must understand that if the road is closed, it’s closed for good reason, so don’t go there, just don’t.”
Provost of Aberdeenshire Council, Hamish Vernal, agreed.
“Since the floods I have had a number of complaints from residents about a minority of the community continuing to ignore road closures,” he said.
“These people in their 4X4’s seem to believe they are not vulnerable to the floods and think they are untouchable, but they do not realise the knock on effect their actions are having.”