The possibility of seven-day working on the Aberdeen bypass dominated tonight’s meeting of the North Kincardine Rural Community Council. Residents argued strongly against the possibility, with one person saying that prospect was frightening. Another said that the construction work means that “you don’t want to go home to your own home.”
There to hear the comments were environmental health officers Joe May and David Cooper from Aberdeenshire Council. They will be key in deciding whether the contractors may work from 7am to 7pm and seven days a week. However they stressed that no application has been lodged yet. Mr May promised to inform the community council if and when they receive an application for the extended hours.
At present the normal working hours should be 7am-7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. However there can be emergencies and suchlike which require longer working.
The concerns centred round noise, dust and general nuisance. Mr May was asked to visit the site to see the situation for himself. Currently noise monitoring reports are provided by the contractors.
Mr May said he understood the intention was to apply for seven day working – however it would not mean every week – to take advantage of good weather. He would make a recommendation to senior managers, with a decision being taken by Stephen Archer, the council’s infrastructure services director.
The community council is inviting Mr Archer and chief executive Jim Savege to its next meeting.
Others issues were covered during the evening, including planning applications, a planning enforcement notice being issued to a landowner for unauthorised caravans, dryers still in use in the Corbie Hall (will it be ready for the 5 May election – Maryculter church hall is on stand-by), developer contributions, local roads maintenance, and the fixing of the 20mph warning signs at Lairhillock primary school.
Two police officers also attended the start of the meeting, and reassured the community council this is a very low crime area. A warning was given about bike thefts, especially from sheds. They emphasised that sheds should be well secured.