Drivers’ fury over 35-mile detour... for half a mile of roadworks
Decision leaves village ‘cut off’
ROADWORKS of any kind can be a pain for motorists – but spare a thought for those who have to travel in one part of rural Aberdeenshire.
For the sake of half a mile of road being resurfaced, they face a 35-mile detour for two weeks.
The huge diversion – put in place by Aberdeenshire Council bosses – will take drivers well out of their way if they are trying to pass through the village of Alford, either bound for Aberdeen or nearby communities in Donside.
It is claimed the work, at the Bridge of Alford on the A944, will leave some rural areas cut off and affect tourism.
Motorist Emma Hicks, 20, is one of those who will be forced to use the route.
She travels between her home in Strathdon, via Alford to Aberdeen – normally a 45-mile journey.
She said: ‘This will be a nightmare. It’s totally ridiculous. Drivers spend enough money on fuel in this area as it is and it will just hike the cost of trips to Alford and Aberdeen up even further.
‘It could have a drastic impact on people’s livelihoods.
‘It’s totally unfair that they’ve recommended this diversion. Drivers should be informed of the quickest, easiest way to get from A to B.’
Council officials said yesterday that there may be quicker routes, but they have put forward the 35-mile journey because it is accessible to all vehicles.
But the RAC said it was ‘one of the longest diversions’ it had ever seen and questioned whether it could cause issues if drivers try to use smaller roads as a shortcut. A spokesman added: ‘Let’s hope this does not result in an increase in accidents or too much disturbance for people who live along these unofficial alternative routes.’
The area’s Conservative council through lor, Robbie Withey, also warned that the diversion would ‘cut off’ locals who need access to Alford for doctor’s appointments.
He said: ‘It literally cuts off the outlying areas from Alford.
‘The topography of the area is such that 35 miles is going to take most people at least an hour to drive it. You’re up hills and valleys and all the rest of it. It’s going to cut off a lot of people who are not going to be able to get into Alford for shops and doctors’ surgeries.
‘It’s also not going to be good for business in the area.
‘We’re in the peak season now, getting a lot of tourists coming and staying locally and that is literally an artery for them getting out into the Cairngorms and back.
‘It’s a hell of a long route to divert people. It’s going to be an absolute nightmare for locals and tourists.’
The diversion route has also provoked a furious reaction on social media.
Ann Quennell said: ‘Ridiculous closing road. Can’t they do one side at a time?’
Gillian Shimwell said: ‘Must be a wee road somewhere that’s quicker.’
A council spokesman said: ‘The Bridge of Alford on the A944 is due to close for surface dressing preparatory works for a period of two weeks. The diversion is indeed a long one due to the rural nature of the location and the requirement that a diversion must divert to roads that are the same class as the one that is closed.
‘Heavy goods vehicles must be taken account of in any diversion and that is the case with this closure too.’
Despite its size, the diversion has been pipped as the longest in the UK presently.
Officials in Somerset put in place a 38-mile route while a stretch of Sherborne Road in Yeovil was shut for pipes to be installed.
Comment – Page 14
‘A nightmare for locals and tourists’