Work to lay power cables for the new retail development at Guild Street, Aberdeen, began yesterday.

Scottish and Southern Electric are carrying out the utilities work, which began on Market Street and will ultimately continue through up Virginia Street and along Mearns Street to the sub-station at Commerce Street.

The programme of work, which will involve laying three power cables under the roads, is estimated to take up to 12 weeks and traffic delays are expected.

Fixed signs have been erected on the Ellon Road and at the Bridge of Don to advise motorists to avoid the area and that delays are expected due to the utility work being carried out.

Variable message signs on the A90 will also advise motorists of the anticipated delays and to avoid the area.

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Phase one, which will take two to three weeks, will see Scottish and Southern Electric working on Market Street, from the Commercial Quay junction to Guild Street.

The inside lane on the north and southbound carriageways of that stretch of Market Street will be closed while the work is carried out.

Phase two will involve moving onto Guild Street from Market Street, and onto Virginia Street. This will involve partially closing the junction for traffic travelling from Market Street onto Virginia Street. That will be done on a Sunday, when traffic flow is lightest. Diversions will be put in place for traffic affected by the closure.

Phase three, which is expected to take approximately two weeks, will involve working from Guild Street through onto Virginia Street. Westbound traffic will be diverted while this is done.

Phase four will involve the overnight closure of Virginia Street for one to three nights, to allow the Scottish and Southern Electric staff to lay the cables across the road.

Phase five should see the final stages of work on Virginia Street being carried out. This will take approximately four weeks.

Phase six is the final stage, in which will move onto Mearns Street and ultimately onto Commerce Street.

(GK/JM)