Moray Landslide by A96 in Keith causing tailbacks and issues for businesses as Amey urged to accelerate work to fix Union Bridge
Businesses near a road which was damaged by a landslide may not survive the winter if work to address the situation is not accelerated, it has been claimed.
A river bank and retaining wall fell into the River Isla in Keith at the Union Bridge on the A96 in July.
Temporary traffic lights, installed by Amey, have remained in place ever since with the road operator stating that repairing the damage would be a “complex and difficult” task.
But the safety measure is causing long tailbacks in the town and concerns have been raised about the possible impact on businesses.
Linda Gorn, United Keith chairperson, hosted an urgent meeting attended by business owners, community council members and other interested parties on Friday.
She says that many businesses are already losing out on much needed income.
“The biggest concern at the moment is that we’re losing out on money,” she said.
“I’ve been around quite a few businesses over the last few months and they’ve lost between £25,000 and £50,000.
“We have lost about £2000 over two months and we’re a small enterprise so we can’t afford that.
“If something is not done immediately then the question really becomes are we still going to be here by Christmas?
“It’s dire and it just seems that there is no urgency to fix it.
“They’re talking about the work going into the winter but we can’t afford that. The whole economy in Keith will collapse.
“Keith is dying on its feet. It’s as simple as that.”
Mrs Gorn says that the main issue is that lengthy delays are deterring people from stopping in the town to frequent businesses.
“The passing trade is basically just stopping,” Mrs Gorn said.
“The traffic is backing up right out past Tesco at times. It’s that far back so people who may have stopped here in the past aren’t stopping anymore.”
Amey told The Northern Scot in July that plans to fix the damage would involve talks with utility companies and Historic Scotland and that the temporary traffic lights would remain in place until an appropriate permanent fix was found.
A spokesperson for the road operator said: “Whilst we acknowledge the impact to road users and the local community, the traffic management is essential to keep everyone safe.”
The traffic lights remain in place 24 hours a day.
Mrs Gorn will meet with Amey representatives this week to discuss the concerns of the community and to insist that plans to fix the road are sped up.
She added: “It has to be made a priority now.
“We’re a main trunk road between Aberdeen and Inverness.
“The concerns are that the main powers at be are not taking this seriously and people are getting really frustrated now.
“They need to realise how dire it is.”
