A shopkeeper who wrote to Margaret Thatcher 30 years ago about the state of a Speyside High Street has welcomed recent road improvements, despite overwhelming opposition from local traders.
Charlie Gammack, 81, still has a letter he received from Westminster in 1985 regarding the condition of the main thoroughfare through Aberlour.
After decades of discussion, a resurfacing project on the mile-long stretch of the A95 through the village finally got underway last Monday, but it has been criticised by several High Street traders who fear its timing will destroy the local tourist trade.
Calls have been made to delay some stages of the work until autumn to ensure the majority of the street remains open over summer.
However, Mr Gammack, who owns Gammack’s harness and saddle maker store on the High Street, holds his letter as proof that the road improvements are “desperately needed”.
Mr Gammack said: “The letter, from June 1985, shows how badly required the work is.
“The Department of Transport replied to me saying repairs were being considered as far back as that.
“I understand the frustrations of other local traders, but I think the works would be a similar inconvenience at any time of year.
“I sell Calor gas cylinders and bags of compost, and bulky items like that require transport to be parked outside the shop, but I don’t question the roadworks.
“The job just desperately needs to be done and the quicker the better.
“We can’t stop in the middle of the work.”
Opponents of the resurfacing programme insist they are not questioning the necessity of the work – but object to its timing.
Ronnie Noble. owner of the High Street’s Fresh-on-Spey restaurant, said: “We would welcome the work over winter or autumn, and we know it’s essential, but staging it over summer will harm our businesses.
“If the work has been needed for 30 years, then waiting a few more months shouldn’t do any harm.”
Bear Scotland has said efforts will be made to minimise disruption during the improvements, which are scheduled to last for the next three months.
