The lack of daytime buses from Newtonhill village to Stonehaven has been causing problems for some older residents who find the X7 express coaches from the Park & Choose unsuitable.

Some take a taxi or ask friends and family for a lift, while others simply no longer go to the town. As a result social links are being severed and visits to the dentist or suchlike are becoming a trial. Appointments might be missed.

For those unfamiliar with the bus services, the problem is that the 7B buses which used to go to Stonehaven now head up to Chapelton before returning to Aberdeen. Yes, two 7B services head to Stonehaven in the early morning, and there are buses running in the evenings from teatime, but that isn’t much help during the day.

The issue was aired at Wednesday’s meeting of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council.

They are going to contact Stagecoach to ask that the reinstate some services.

However today I learned from Aberdeenshire Council that Stagecoach is not in a position to introduce additional journeys while in receipt of covid-19 support grant from the Scottish Government. This grant has helped keep some bus companies afloat financially during this difficult time and without it there would be cuts to the commercial network.

At some point life will have to return to normal, the support grants will end, and no doubt the bus timetables will be revised. That will be the opportunity for Stagecoach to link Newtonhill with the county town once again.

Aberdeenshire Council officers have agreed to raise these points with Stagecoach. The council has no direct control over any decision taken in that regard, though the council does support two early morning Saturday journeys on the corridor which otherwise would not run.

Anyone with views on the issue should contact Stagecoach by phoning 0345 810 1000 or emailing bluebird.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com

UPDATE, 29 October 2021: There has been no response yet from Stagecoach.