Chaos as A96 traffic detours onto single track and passing place roads as arterial route is closed at Huntly
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REPAIR work finally got underway on Wednesday to secure the roof canopy at the Strathbogie Filling station.
The A96 which runs past the petrol station and shop was was closed for a third day on Wednesday causing chaos on rural side roads used as a diversion.
On Tuesday, tempers flared and the police had to be called to the single track, with passing places, route between Rothiemay and Kinnoir.
Fears about the stability of the roof canopy on the edge of route lead to the closure on Saturday and it was closed again from 6am on Tuesday after the high winds overnight.
Bear Scotland put in place the road blocks to establish a safety zone around the site, instructed by Police.
In the Huntly area, the road carries around 8000 vehicles daily.
The diversion from the A96 via Rothiemay to Kinnoir was fraught with problems with fallen trees on Saturday and on Tuesday afternoon the five mile stretch became totally impassable as lorries blocked the route.
The closures have been a major upheaval for people trying to get to work.
Both schools in Huntly were closed on Tuesday and there was a a partial closure of the secondary school again on Wednesday because of staff shortages related to the road closure and staff sickness.
Scotrail services, disrupted by fallen trees and debris on the line, had to be replaced by buses which had to also follow the diversions and Stagecoach bus services had to be re-routed.
On social media people complained that the roof could have been secured when the wind dropped to reduce the disruption.
Gulf, the owners of the site were contacted for a comment.
