Delays are expected on the main road into an Aberdeenshire town next week as work to complete its new secondary school continues.
Ellon’s South Road, between the Cromleybank Farm road and the roundabout with the A90 Aberdeen to Peterhead route, will be closed from April 7-19.
The closure is to allow for work on the new entrance to Ellon Academy, which is due to open this August.
Diversions will be in place at Market Street, Castle Street and from the A920 Ellon to Oldmeldrum road to the A948 Ellon to New Deer road.
Last night Ellon and district councillor Gillian Owen said motorists were sure to face delays on South Road – but that the school holidays would help to alleviate any traffic problems.
She added: “It is going to create a bit of disruption, but not as much because the kiddies are off. It has got to be done here is another way they can get into and out of town.”
Fellow Ellon councillor Isobel Davidson said: “It might well cause some congestion but at least they are doing it on the school holidays.
“There was a closure last year and it went pretty well. People were able to make other arrangements in and out of town and it didn’t cause any major problems.
“It can be pretty busy at rush hour, especially when buses stop, but people seemed to manage last time so I hope they manage this time.”
The road was closed for a week last April to allow for the site’s telephone line and sewer connection to be installed.
The £36million school will have space for 1,000 pupils and will replace the current academy situated in the town centre.
Ellon community council secretary Andrew Plews said families would be glad to see the new site taking shape.
“It is just a case of getting it (the school) finished off now,” he added.
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of roads and landscape services Philip McKay said the timing of the works would “minimise disruption to the public”.
