A roadworks scheme, which has had a negative impact on trade along a Speyside High Street for almost a year, has taken a huge step towards completion.
A major resurfacing programme began last May on a rundown stretch of the A95 through the centre of Aberlour.
Business owners voiced fears that scheduling what had been envisaged as a three-month project over the summer season would cripple their takings.
And their worries were compounded when the programme suffered a series of lengthy setbacks.
Last August, road workers discovered an unrecorded water main, which stretched the length of the High Street and Scottish Water began the painstaking process of replacing it.
The water board yesterday confirmed the work had been completed, and roads authority Bear Scotland indicated that the misery for local businesses would soon be over.
Scottish Water’s community team manager, Diane Burgess, said: “We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while this essential replacement work was carried out.
“We were committed to completing the work on time and are pleased that we have delivered on this promise to residents.”
Bear Scotland added: “Following completion of the Scottish Water works, we have completed the design for the final phase of the Aberlour High Street improvement programme.
“A consultation meeting with the Aberlour Business Association, Aberlour Community Association and other relevant stakeholders is currently being arranged, after which the works programme will be finalised.
“We will continue to engage with the community whilst the works are in progress.”
Business owners are now fighting Scottish Water for compensation amid claims that the organisation provided Transport Scotland planners with incorrect information about the location of the mains.
Long-suffering traders predicted the project’s original timing during the summer would represent a “death knell” for their profits during the normally busy season.
They said they relied on a spike in income over the warmer months to see them through the rest of the year.
As the summer season wound down last year, the Aberlour Filling Station claimed takings had plunged 80% since the roadworks began on the thoroughfare.
In an effort to minimise disruption, Scottish Water placed work on replacing the outdated pipe on hold during the Christmas period.
