Pothole fixed for now
Free advice on getting funding
The next ‘Grow Your Group’ session will be held on Tuesday (28 November) from 7pm – 9pm in Portlethen Community Centre at the academy.
This free workshop is open to anyone interested in finding out more about the monitoring and evaluation elements of a successful funding application – and project! All welcome.
For further information please email diane.strachan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or phone 01569 768 323.
Council backs sport and leisure trust
Wellington Road plans
Rothnick bridge to close
Council officers tell me that owing to AWPR bridge expansion jointing works it will be necessary for public safety to close the C13K Netherley – Portlethen road for four days.
This work will commence on Friday 1 December from 10pm until Monday 4 December at 6am.
Emergency and vehicular access to affected properties to be maintained from either the A90 or the B979 Netherley Road. Pedestrian access will not be maintained.
The map shows the diversions, depending on whether you are travelling west or east.
Now 118 homes at Chapelton
How ‘New Scots’ are settling in the N.E.
A thought-provoking and moving presentation this afternoon at Woodhill House on the Aberdeenshire New Scots’ Resettlement Programme.
Since February last year 103 Syrian and Iraqi people fleeing the conflict in their own countries have settled in central Aberdeenshire, helped by the council. The majority of them spoke no English, which is a challenge in settling down here, as much as the totally different culture. They have all the things we take for granted to cope with such as form-filling, accessing public services including health services, and so on.
The thought of being moved to another country where I don’t understand the language or the way of life is daunting.
Not only that, they have come from a war environment. One boy, we were told, is so frightened by helicopters flying overhead that he runs away. Remember the barrel bombs we saw on the TV news? It was reality for him.
Councillors heard how the local communities have been very supportive, and there have been no reports of any race hate issues.
The families are entitled to work, but the barrier is speaking English. The youngsters are fitting in and learning the language (with Scots accents), but for the adults it is more difficult. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including tailor, chef, farmer, factory owner and travel agent. Four babies have been born here.
There are more families due to come to Aberdeenshire, from camps in Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan or Iraq.
I would hope any families who were to come to the Portlethen or Stonehaven areas would also be given a warm welcome.
It is all funded by the Home Office, by the way, including the team of five council staff who co-ordinate the programme.
More repairs to Rothnick road
Repairs are to be carried out the the Netherley – Lairhillock – Portlethen road again. The heavy traffic continues to take its toll, particularly the lorries going to and from the AWPR site at Rothnick.
Council officers tell me that a contractor will be starting on site in the next 2-3 weeks with this road to be given priority. The costs of this work will be borne by the AWPR.
In some places the main running surface of the road is intact but the verges have been over-run by heavy vehicles, thereby creating failed areas along the road edge/verge.
The council will have to carry out works to reinstate them back to their former condition. Again the local authority will be looking to recoup costs from the AWPR.
Burnhead road closes again
I have just been told by council officers that owing to AWPR bridge expansion works it will be necessary in the interests of public safety to close the C5K country road at Burnhead.
This work will start on Friday 8 December at 8pm lasting until Monday 11 December at 11:59pm. Emergency and pedestrian access is to be maintained.