A flood alleviation project in Keith that had suffered from “slow progress” is finally set for completion by the end of this week.
Work on Moss Street had been expected to be completed by March but Scottish Water said that progress had been painfully slow, adding that work would likely not be over for another three months.
However, a spokesman has said that the good news for residents is that the site will be cleared by the end of this week, bringing to an end protracted disruption for local homes and businesses.
Work on a 400-foot long section of water main had to be replaced with a new “box sewer” proved to be a lot more difficult than first envisaged – leading to frustration for businesses and residents at Moss Street on Findlater Lane, Spinners Lane, Smiddie Lane, Farmers Lane and Broad Lane.
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “This project was progressing really slowly up to the end of January and it did look as if it would not be complete until the end of June. However, the good news is that ground conditions got better and progress then improved.
“The sewer works are now complete so the risk of internal flooding has been removed from properties.”
Work started on the street in October last year when contractors George Leslie Ltd were tasked with the job of creating the box sewer, which involved lifting and relaying of the existing water main. Homes and businesses in the area were served by a temporary overland pipe.