About 50 people attended tonight’s meeting to discuss the rebuilding of the bridge over the Elsick Burn at Newtonhill.

A committee was being formed to discuss what actions can be taken given that a replacement of the bridge is not a high priority on Aberdeenshire Council’s programme.

Options include a petition to the council, a survey to determine what villagers would prefer, a fund-raising campaign to pay for a bridge much much sooner than the council can afford, or providing an alternative access for the one house on that cul-de-sac and a reinstatement of the route for walkers and cyclists.

The photograph shows Councillor Mel Sullivan setting out the facts for the meeting in the Bettridge Centre.