Work has started on the Causey Mounth to the west of Hillside School.

Normally when road works are under way pedestrians and cyclists are allowed through when it is safe to do so. However the road is fully closed at the moment due to the extensive nature of the work.

The contractor has promised they will “endeavour to maintain access ‘whenever possible’ as per the council’s road closure notice, however at the current stage of the project this will not be possible. This action must be taken in the interests of health and safety for both the general public and the workforce.

“This project for Aberdeenshire Council involves excavating out full depth construction of the existing road and verge to install an upgraded road and cycleway. There is also associated drainage and services excavations which require to be securely fenced parallel to and crossing the road.

“There will therefore be periods of this project when we will have the whole road box removed and excavations securely fenced off across the road and it will not be possible to maintain access.

“We will of course allow pedestrian and vehicular access on the road as soon as it will be safe to do so.”

The contractor is expected to take 11 weeks to complete the work, having started on Monday. It includes a new roadway plus speed bumps and a footpath cum cycleway.

UPDATE 26 July: Council officers say there will now be no emergency, pedestrian or vehicular access through the closure.