Traffic on rural north-east roads is about to double as drivers are forced to use it as an escape route from bypass works.
A survey by Aberdeenshire Council has laid bare the huge impact that restrictions on the A90 will have on smaller routes around Stonehaven for almost a year.
And locals who are worried about the impact are now demanding talks with Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) bosses amid claims they have been “taken for granted”.
As of yesterday traffic through Stonehaven, and on the Netherley and South Deeside roads, is expected to surge whilst the construction of a new grade-separated junction on the edge of the town gets under way.
The project, part of the AWPR, requires the replacement of the existing bridge carrying the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road.
This means a contraflow will be put in place limiting the route to two northbound lanes and one southbound.
The work, which will involve the demolition and reconstruction of the crossing, is expected to take 42 weeks to complete and is expected to add on up to 20 minutes to commuters journeys.
The contraflow was trialed by Transport Scotland at the end of February, and a survey of the work by Aberdeenshire Council – seen by the Press and Journal – recorded a massive rise in traffic on the roads around Stonehaven.
The local authority briefing note revealed traffic flows and delays were “measured” on both the B979 Netherley to Maryculter road and the A90 itself during the test.
It also showed congestion on the Netherley Road increased by roughly 200 vehicles between 5 and 7pm during evening peak times – a 100% rise on normal levels.
Average delays of between nine and 10 minutes were recorded on southbound traffic on the A90 during weekdays with a peak hold-up of 20 minutes on one day.
The council report states: “The additional traffic appeared to be diverting onto the B979 to avoid the peak time delays on the A90.
“From comparison with the permanent traffic counter on the B979 North of Stonehaven approximately 50% of traffic is joining the B979 from the South Deeside Road and the remainder using various side roads between the A90 and the B979.”
It adds the increase will have a “significant impact on Stonehaven town centre”.
Council officers have recommended bringing forward the construction of the new southbound slip road at the town to act as an “alternative route for vehicles” taking to the Netherley Road to bypass the roadworks.
The Stonehaven and District Community Council has agreed the situation was the result of motorists completely avoiding the “dilemma” on the A90 between the Mearns town and Aberdeen.
Chairman of the group, Phil Mills-Bishop, called for AWPR bosses to meet with locals, claiming they have been taking them “for granted”.
He said: “They really are not appreciating that we need some clarity. They have noted a huge increase on the Netherley Road
with this survey.
“People are not happy with the state of the road (the A90) to be honest, the road surface is terrible north of Stonehaven. In poor weather conditions it is a very dangerous drive.
“People are making conscious decisions not to go down it. They are diverting to the small roads, particularly the Netherley – whether going home or going out. The Netherley Road is getting worse and worse.
“Everyone doesn’t want to go down the A90. If they can get away with going down the South Deeside Road and Netherley they will. It’s not built for the volume of traffic it has got.”
Councillor Ian Mollison said it was “inevitable” that drivers would seek an alternative route when there are delays on their normal route.
He said: “The onus is on the AWPR team to ensure traffic on the A90 can flow as freely as possible. Of course drivers should have a little patience and not put extra pressure on our country roads.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Communication with our stakeholders is at the heart of our work and we are making arrangements to attend the next Stonehaven and District Community Council meeting to present the measures in further detail.
“The traffic management which has been planned and agreed with key stakeholders including the local authority and Police Scotland, is essential to deliver these critical works whilst enhancing the safety of road workers and road users.
“Whilst some delays to the travelling public are inevitable on a project of this scale and complexity, we strive to keep disruption to a minimum.
“We thank road users and local communities for their ongoing support and patience during these necessary works.”
Stonehaven Community Council is holding a meeting for residents to air their concerns with the AWPR team on April 11 at the Carron Resource Centre, from 7pm.