Roads issues were the main topic at tonight’s Portlethen and District Community Council, with much discussion about the state of Bruntland Road.
Aberdeenshire Council’s acting area road manager Alan Burns outlined the programme for the coming year. He said Bruntland Road would be patched and then given surface dressing, with work starting early in July (during the school holidays). This will cost £75,000 and should solve the problems, he said, lasting more than 15 years. Although the existing structure is sound the existing surface has fretted. It has a micro asphalt surface which has clearly failed.
Community councillors pressed for a complete new surface but were told that would cost about £350,000 which exceeds the year’s maintenance budget for Kincardine and Mearns. Mr Burns said that the council has to live within its means and like other local authorities is facing budget cutbacks from the Scottish Government. Unfortunately we cannot afford the Rolls Royce solution, he said.
He also said the council has no powers to attend to the potholed surface of the Green car park. At best the council might be able to fill any potholes at the entrance, to the width of the pavement.
Interactive speed signs will be provided at various sites for short periods, of up to 10 weeks, because after that it is found they just merge into the clutter.
Early discussions are being held with Aberdeen City Council for a footpath/cycleway between Checkbar and Cove. Today the city council gave a very positive response to an enquiry by the ‘Shire, and a meeting will be arranged. Only 150 metres of the route is within the ‘Shire.
The Muirend Road roundabout at the A90 flyover is to be resurfaced within the year – no date yet. The current surface will be planed off and hot rolled asphalt laid. The aim is to undertake the work overnight to minimise disruption. Furthermore the ruts on the roundabouts at Asda and Badentoy will will repaired during the year.
Other points that caught my eye:
– The Neuk at Old Portlethen is for sale.
– The suggested name of School Brae was put forward for the road heading west from Cookston Road passing the new Hillside school. It is officially called the C30K, which just trips of the tongue!
– The community council supported a proposal by Aberdeenshire Council to hold a public consultation into whether the Causey Mounth should be closed to vehicular traffic when the Hillside school opens. The alternative is a 20mph zone with speed platforms to slow traffic. A strong case was put forward for closure, but other community councillors favoured the second option.
– Newtonhill Pipe Band was awarded a grant of £1000 towards the costs of renting accommodation in Portlethen Academy. The band is sending members to France to take part in World War 1 commemorations of the battle of the Somme.
– Quarry dust has been laid on the footpaths in the community woodland.
– The Christmas decorations will be taken down at the tree this Sunday morning.
– The new rail services to be introduced in 2018 were discussed, with the introduction of a regular local commuter service from Montrose to Inverurie, but the loss of central belt services at Portlethen. Details are yet to be worked out.
– The presence of the police firing range was discussed, the consensus pf opinion being that the “shooting” noises was more likely to be blasting or hammering from the construction of the Aberdeen bypass.
– The presence of lorries, especially them parking overnight, in the Asda car park is to be discussed at the next meeting.
– And finally, at the AGM the current office-bearers were returned to office apart from the post of treasurer. After years of service Dorothy Main stepped down and was replaced by Alison Duncan. Nikki Giles became a full member of the community council. There is still a vacancy for one member, if anyone wishes to volunteer to be co-opted.