Tonight we had an update on progress with the development of the new town of Chapelton of Elsick. Steady progress. Work of well underway with the access road – apparently to be called Greenlaw Road – with the sales office due to open at the end of May.

Here are some of the highlights: 

• The streets will be designed to restrict vehicle speeds to 20mph – and without using speed bumps.
• The two objectors to the closure of the central reservation gap at the Bruntland Road junction with the A90 are sticking to their guns. There are fears over the safety of right turns. Transport Scotland officials are considering whether to hold a local public enquiry or let the objectors challenge the proposals in the Court of Session.
• The construction work on the roundabout at the Newtonhill flyover should be completed by the end of March. The site roads should be completed in mid April.
• There will be a further three weeks of rock breaking between 7am and 6pm during road construction.
• Heavy construction vehicles have still been using the Newtonhill-Cookney road instead of access roads. The message is to be reinforced that should not be happening.
• Portlethen community councillor Paul Melling told the meeting of meetings he has had with the Scottish Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance to argue the case for government help in the short-term to bring forward the building of an underpass at the Bourtreebush junction between Bruntland Road and the A90. North East MSP Alison McInnes will be following this up with the Scottish Government.
• The provision of a medical centre was also discussed, with it being earmarked for 2028 (best guess, as this depends on the rate of development). Meanwhile at Portlethen, some £60,000 is being spent on scanning in paper records which will free up office space for an extra surgery room. However Dr Ewan Clark said that four more consulting rooms are ideally required to cope with growing demands.
• Work is underway on the education implications, with youngsters due to attend NewtonhillPrimary School. A report is due to go before councillors in September.
• The possibility of existing residences being connected to the new utility services was also raised. These houses were in the countryside but will shortly be either near or in a new town, but without the facilities. David Southesk promised that these residents can connect to the new services. He will continue the discussions with residents, including the cost implications. 

Attending were the developers, Transport Scotland, contractors, NHS Grampian, three local councillors, community councils, council officers, and residents.