A north-east couple claim they are enduring “hell on earth” while the final stages of AWPR work is carried out.
Sylvester and Liz Buchan live at Home Farm, Milltimber, a converted farm and steading with five other houses, across the road from a processing plant.
The site was excavated through rock blasting and materials were subsequently used to help construct the road.
But now contractors are working to return the site to its original condition by covering it with soil from a neighbouring field.
Two bulldozers and four large dump trucks have rolled into the site, on Contlaw Road, and begun moving huge mounds of top soil from one field to another.
The Buchans claim they have had to close up their house because of huge plumes of dust blowing through their windows.
And the couple claim the work has led to hundreds of gulls flying into their garden and their neighbours’ properties too.
Mr Buchan said: “You won’t believe what’s going on, the noise and all of our windows are covered in earth and dust. We’ve tried to close them up but it still gets in, there’s clouds of brown dust enveloping our home.
“It looks like it’s going to last four to six weeks, they have under-estimated how much soil they have dug out.
“It’s like a war zone. We were almost thinking of going out and lying in front of the bulldozer. It would have been stupid but that’s how bad it’s got.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The contractor has confirmed that a rock processing plant is now being decommissioned and works are being undertaken to remediate the land prior to its return to the owner. It has also confirmed that its community liaison team has been in regular contact with local residents to inform them of the works being undertaken in this area.
“They also met with a local resident earlier this week to explain the ongoing works in detail and discuss mitigation measures, which we understand have since been implemented. The contractor will continue to liaise with local residents until works in the area are complete.”