Aberdeenshire Council has said work to improve a badly damaged section of a significant north-east commuter route will be carried out in the next few weeks after the decision was made to bring the scheme forward.

A section of the A947 Banff to Turriff Road, between Auchmill and Plaidy, will close for up to two weeks as a result, to allow the improvements to be carried out.

The works involve the asphalt resurfacing of around 1km of road, as well as work to improve drainage, kerbs, signs and lines.

Preparatory works will be carried out under a lane closure controlled by traffic signals, but to carry out the resurfacing project safely the road has to be closed. The nature of the road at that location means closure is the only way to protect the workforce from danger.

Advance notice of the restrictions will be visible on all approach routes and diversions will be signposted via the B9025 Turriff to Aberchirder and A97 Aberchirder to Banff roads. This established diversion is suitable for all vehicles, including Heavy Goods Vehicles, though other local routes are available to smaller traffic.

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The official diversion adds just over five miles to the journey between Turriff and Banff.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Peter Argyle, said: "This is a road which has deteriorated significantly recently, and I'm pleased this work has been brought forward to help ensure this important road is maintained to as high a condition as possible.

"Although such works inevitably cause inconvenience to some road users, we hope they will appreciate the improved condition of the route."

ISC vice chair, Alan S. Buchan, said: "Rather than simply resurfacing the road, this work will also look at issues such as drainage and line marking, which will not only improve safety, but will also increase the life of the road.

"It is important we continue to make these investments in our roads infrastructure to maintain a high standard, though we will try to complete the work early if possible to minimise inconvenience."

The section of the A947 between Auchmill Farm and Plaidy will close on Monday 16 September and is due to reopen on Sunday 29 September. A speed restriction of 30mph will be in place from Wednesday 11 September until Sunday 6 October to cover the period just before and after the works.

The project, which is valued at £316,000, aims to address the deterioration of the road over the last few years. It was brought forward by the local authority after receiving funding from its Six Key Areas initiative.

(JP/MH)