Almost a full house tonight in the Skateraw Hall to hear Stagecoach managing director Mark Whitelocks talk about local bus services.
He was invited by Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council. He asked the 30-plus audience he wanted to hear where and when residents would like services to run. The next revision of the timetable will have to take into account the impact of the Aberdeen bypass opening – whatever that may be.
Issues covered included the X7 coaches, the lengthy 7B journey, gaps in the timetable (especially in afternoons with one resident saying it was like facing a curfew), the service round the Saints, steep steps in buses, the drop in passenger numbers, etc.
Mr Whitelocks said that Stagecoach currently has a 5% profit margin which is too low to continue reinvesting in services.
After his hour-long session half the audience left. We then discussed the normal community council business:
– Aberdeenshire Council is chopping down trees in Newtonhill Park following complaints from neighbours and one tree overhanging the tennis courts and play area. New trees will be planted.
– A pedestrian gate is being provided beside the padlocked vehicular gate across the path at Muchalls pumping station.
– There have been delays in providing new equipment in the Newtonhill Park playground. Hopefully it will be in place by summer.
– Considerable time was devoted to the masterplan for housing to the south of Newtonhill, on the moor. Now that it has been approved by Aberdeenshire council it is expected that a planning application from Barratt and Polmuir will follow. Chairman Michael Morgan thanks the ward councillors for their efforts.
– Contractors may be hired to tackle the Japanese knotweed growing on the cliffs at the Braehead in Newtonhill.
– Long-standing community councillor Eric Hargreaves from Cammachmore is to stand down at the AGM. Newtonhill resident Peter Flockhart was co-opted onto the community council. There is still a vacancy for Muchalls.
– The next meeting will be on Wednesday 18 April.