The long-running controversy over the future of a Peterhead road took another turn last night as locals hit out at Aberdeenshire Council.
Mackenzie Crescent, a residential street overlooking the harbour area, was hit by a landslip more than three years ago.
A temporary traffic order banning vehicles from using a stretch of the route was put in place until councillors voted to permanently block the road at the end of April – against the wishes of some residents.
Work to seal off the street has begun but last night local man James Duncan blasted the local authority.
He said: “They’ve got diggers and big lorries on a road that’s supposed to be unstable.
“If that’s not making the bank unstable, I don’t know what will. There is no reason that road should be closed but no one from come from Aberdeenshire Council to inspect it.”
The council’s road manager Derek Murray defended the scheme last night.
He said: “Works began this week on the construction of measures to make the closure of Mackenzie Crescent in Peterhead permanent. The road closure is necessary to ensure the long-term stability of the embankment.”
Mr Murray said workmen on site were narrowing the road to stop vehicles from using it and that the work required the use of heavy machinery.
He continued: “As the stability of the embankment at this location is the impetus for these works, the roads service was aware of the presence of the weak embankment and ensured that a qualified civil engineer was on site to inspect the method of working and the stability of the embankment.”
It is understood the project will be completed on Monday, closing another chapter in the Mackenzie Crescent saga.
Following the landslip, the council originally planned to construct a supporting wall at an estimated cost of £200,000 – but the price rocketed to £610,000 after more detailed design work was carried out.
The increase in cost led councillors to decide it was not a viable option, and instead they voted to spend about £20,000 on sealing off the street permanently.