Drivers face 10 weeks of diversions to allow for work on the Bridge of Marnoch near Aberchirder

Essential maintenance works on a prominent Aberdeenshire Council historic bridge are due to commence on Monday, September 6.

Bridge of Marnoch, which carries the A97 over the River Deveron, is a 215-year-old B Listed structure.

Works are planned to take place between the 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday over a 10-week period.

Aberdeenshire Council hope that an off-peak closure will have less impact on the travelling public and outwith these times the road will be fully reopened.

Drivers of larger vehicles now face a long diversion route via Turriff due to the narrow rural roads in the area.

A spokesperson said: "As we cannot divert traffic onto roads which are not suitable for larger vehicles, the diversion route is via the A97 to B9001 from the A97 to Glendronach, B9024 at Glendronach to A947 near Turriff; Turriff Via Queens Road, Duff Street, B9025 at Market Street, Church Street, Gladstone Terrace, Deveron street, Deveron Road; B9025 to A97 at Aberchirder; Aberchirder via South Street to A97; A97 to Bridge of Marnoch."

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