Businesses in a Speyside village claim they have lost up to £500,000 in a two-year roadworks nightmare – which will begin again next week.
When drainage and resurfacing works first began in Aberlour in May 2015, it was only expected to last about 12 weeks.
But the work has been hit with delays, and the discovery of an unrecorded water main running almost the length of High Street added months to the project.
Shopkeepers claim the project has hit their takings, and are chasing compensation – but say they are caught in the middle of a blame game between Bear Scotland Scottish Water.
Although Bear Scotland is responsible for improving the drains on the A95, the finger has also been pointed at Scottish Water about the unknown pipes.
Last night it was revealed the businesses in the village have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in combined takings compared with previous years as visitors have stayed away.
And now Brian Doran, vice-chairman of business association About Aberlour, is preparing himself for a fresh fight to win compensation to make up for the losses.
He said: “Scottish Water tried to offer us a few hundred pounds to put towards a community event. That was just pretty insulting.
“These pipes were supposed to have been declared when Transport Scotland were planning the work. When they were found the whole thing needed to be planned again.
“The whole thing has been a complete dog’s breakfast. It’s been handled disgracefully by these government agencies.
“We met Scottish Water last year but it’s a pretty serious situation. I’m not giving up on it.”
Mr Doran went door-to-door in the village and calculated the drop in takings at 50% across the village – with some even reporting a 70% loss. Some have had to dip into savings just to remain afloat.
Despite the return of the barriers and temporary traffic lights on the high street, shops have stressed they remain open for business.
The blighted £2.5million project on the high street is due to start again on Monday for eight weeks – meaning it will run to nearly two years after it started.
However, the agencies have attempted to avoid tourist season by pausing the work at peak times.
David Catto, owner of the Spey Larder, praised customers for retaining faith in the village during the months when the high street was not dug up.
He said: “We’ve been pleased how customers have supported us after the roadworks. My concern was always that they wouldn’t come back but they have.
“I originally protested about the timing. This is our quietest time so I hope they come in, get the job done and get finished in time for Easter.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has helped build bridges to help come to a resolution between the Speyside firms and the government agencies.
He said: “I’m pleased Bear Scotland has consulted with local businesses and the community association and agreed the timings of the final works.
“I hope that the works will be carried out with as little disruption as possible and clearly it’s important that we remind people that the village remains open for business while these works are carried out.”
A Bear Scotland spokeswoman said: “We understand the frustration of the Aberlour community and we have consulted with them throughout the process of the works so they know exactly what is going on.
“The timing of the latest phase of works has been planned after full consultation with both the local community and business association and we will continue to liaise closely with them to minimise any disruption.”
A Scottish Water spokesman said they had brought forward investment to replace a pipe and it was completed in March last year.
He said: “To help minimise disruption to customers and business owners, Scottish Water carried out the planned mains replacement work after the Christmas trading period of 2015, with work commencing in the first week of January.”
During the final stage of the roadworks, temporary traffic lights will be in place and additional parking will be provided at Alice Littler Park.
