Fury over 'unannounced' roadworks in middle of Kingussie High Street
Kingussie's Highland Council member has called upon BEAR Scotland to cease operations at a strategic four-way crossing which is threatening to cause chaos both to traffic and local business right in the heart of the tourist season.
Furious local residents and businesses have been contacting the Strathy over the sudden appearance of extra traffic lights and bollards at the main junction of the A86 High Street section with King Street and Ardbroilach Road, right opposite the Star Hotel.
"I'm absolutely livid," said shopkeeper Claire Candy, whose business is just yards away from the works which began on Monday with no public consultation.
"This has the potential to ruin local business and we're told it's going to go on for FIVE weeks!"
A Highland Council spokesperson told the Strathy tonight that the issue would be looked at with a statement hopefully tomorrow, although Councillor Russell Jones said it was not a Highland Council matter, specifically, as a trunk road was involved and notification would have been down to Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland.
"There is a lot of anger about the roadworks that appeared with no warning on Monday morning on the High Street," he told the Strathy as he also briefed his colleagues in the council and alerted the town's community council.
"They are putting services in to the old Police Station, which is being turned in to holiday accommodation.
"There was no consultation with businesses who are losing a fortune as people can’t get parked and now that the roadworks disruption is being broadcast on every traffic report on MFR people are avoiding Kingussie altogether at the busiest time of the year."
It was, he said, down to the roads authority to carry out all the necessary consultations with local concerns.
"I have spoken to BEAR and Transport Scotland who are aware of the works. but say that they told the contactors to carry out consultation with businesses before commencement.
"This situation is not tolerable for our hard-pressed High Street businesses and I have requested to BEAR and TS that the works be made safe and paused until proper consultation takes place and a more suitable time is agreed.
"We all accept the works have to be done and we are all happy that the High Street is being developed but there are processes that have to be followed and other businesses cannot be devastated by loss of trade in sunny August."
The Strathy is seeking clarification from BEAR Scotland as well as the local roads authority.
