Traders in a north-east town fear the closure of a nearby crossing will cost them precious business.
The Deveron Bridge – on the B9025 Turriff to Aberchirder road – will be shut for repairs next month, forcing drivers to make a 30-minute detour.
The work is being carried out after a car collided with one of the structure’s parapets earlier this year, but businesses in Turriff fear the two-week closure – and 21-mile diversion, taking motorists northbound on the A947 to Banff – will lose them customers and inconvenience their staff.
Robert Stephen, who manages Celebrations of Turriff, said: “I think it will have an effect on trade if one of the roads into Turriff is blocked.
“I do understand that safety is paramount, but it will certainly have an impact.”
Elizabeth Duncan, who owns the town’s Commercial Hotel, said the prospect of the closure, due to take effect on Monday, July 6, was already hitting bookings.
“We’ve already had two or three people who have decided to stay somewhere else, causing a loss of business,” she said.
Joan Johnson, a trustee of Delgatie Castle, said: “It will have an impact.
“I don’t see how we can get over it unless we were to put up a temporary bridge and the cost of that would not be warranted.”
Last night, a spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said the road would be closed between the hours of 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, while the work is carried out.
During the evenings and at weekends, one lane will be open with traffic lights in operation.
The 308 bus service will be allowed to use the bridge as normal.
Turriff councillor Anne Robertson asked motorists to be patient while the bridge is repaired.
“There are very few alternatives,” she said.
“It’s important to ensure the fabric and maintenance of the bridge is sound, so I have to urge users of that route to understand and be patient while the work is being undertaken.
“It is a significant feature of the infrastructure around Turriff so it is really important we get the work done.”