Police Scotland is no longer helping community groups across Aberdeenshire by setting out no-waiting cones when local events are held. 

For many years the former Grampian Police provided cones, except in Aberdeen. The new amalgamated national force continued the service, but now that the force no longer has traffic wardens, it is being phased out. The stock of cones has also been diminishing.  

Liberal Democrat councillors were alerted to this change when contacted by organisations in their wards.  

Banchory councillor Karen Clark commented: “Police Scotland is expecting the local authority to provide the cones in future as the council issues temporary no-parking orders when events are being held. The orders are fairly pointless if there are no cones put out to advise drivers.   

“I heard about this change of stance when preparations were being made for the Banchory fireworks display. 

“I understand that the police have advised Aberdeenshire and Moray councils that they will no longer be involved in the management of cones, and it is for the event organisers to liaise with the local authority’s roads department or traffic management companies to either buy or hire cones to cover the no-waiting restrictions.  

“This is just added burden for local groups … and where would all these community groups store the cones? This is not the partnership working we were all promised when Police Scotland came into being – the only way that communities can do more is with the help of police and councils and other community partners. The likes of the Banchory fireworks event raises thousands of pounds for local charities and they need the support of police and the council.” 

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison added: “This is affecting the Bettridge Centre in Newtonhill. When the centre holds major events the council applies temporary parking restrictions on nearby streets, for safety reasons. It can be chaos when the cones are not there, with random parking causing difficulties for residents and stopping buses getting through. 

“Police Scotland has promised to assist by providing cones where they can until the end of this year, however their stocks are quite low. 

“It does not surprise me that stocks have been falling because many cones which were previously put out in Newtonhill were thrown on to the railway embankment or nearby gardens. No doubt that happened elsewhere as well, with the people who did that thinking it was a great laugh. Well, it was not funny then, and it is not funny now. They cost more than £5 each.” 

Turriff councillor Anne Robertson has also been alerted to this problem. “I am disappointed that there is this change of Police Scotland policy locally to stop providing and placing cones where there are waiting restrictions for events. I have been advised that council officers are aware of the decision and are considering the matter. 

“In the meantime local police officers have been as helpful as they can be. 

“I am concerned this is another financial burden now facing local groups or the council. Yet again Police Scotland is dropping a baton expecting the council to pick up the bill.”