The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Drivers hit by delays at A90 ‘no-go zone’

Power company bosses are being urged to take steps to prevent drivers becoming mired in months of delays as works take place on the A90.

Sections of the road are to be closed over the next four months as SSEN builds a converter station near Peterhead.

The roadworks, just south of Invernetti­e Roundabout, began last Tuesday and have been the cause of major disruption.

Some sections will be affected until the end of April, with temporary traffic lights in place from the U66 junction to the roundabout until March.

Journey times south of Peterhead have increased by 25-45 minutes, either due to the roadworks or drivers having to take alternativ­e routes.

Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has urged SSEN to keep businesses and residents better informed of the disruption after raising concerns about a lack of communicat­ion.

“It is disappoint­ing there hasn’t been more done to give residents and businesses adequate advanced notice of these works, which are taking place for a considerab­le amount of time,” he said.

“I appreciate that signs were put up and discussion­s were held with Amey, but it’s clear communicat­ion with road users hasn’t been good enough.

“Constituen­ts have already contacted me about the lengthy delays they are experienci­ng.

“In mornings, in particular, the disruption at the Invernetti­e roundabout has turned the area into a ‘no-go zone’ for those travelling to Ellon or Aberdeen for work.”

The roadworks are a result of work now under way for the Eastern Green Link 2 converter station, due to be built south of Peterhead, near Boddam.

The work includes two new permanent access roads and junctions at the U66, along with a temporary road through the site for constructi­on traffic.

A site car park and temporary site offices will also be built for use during constructi­on as well as undergroun­d cabling.

An SSEN spokesman said: “When undertakin­g any work that will likely cause a disruption we do everything in our power to minimise and mitigate the impact on local communitie­s, and our project team have tried where possible to do that in this instance.

“The programme of work began on January 9 with a projected completion date of the end of April.

“Initially, it was anticipate­d that these three connection­s would be completed as three separate projects meaning that the disruption would last for approximat­ely 10 months.

“However, considerin­g our desire to minimise disruption, and after engagement with Amey, it was determined it would be less intrusive for the local community and commuters to roll them into one package of work.

“While I understand this means the disruption is more concentrat­ed for a short period of time, our rationale was that it was better to complete the work in one go rather than causing disruption on three separate occasions.”