Speeding still seen as acceptable

Speed limits in towns across Aberdeenshire could be slashed to 20mph after council and police chiefs revealed a “significant proportion” of motorists still see speeding and reckless behaviour behind the wheel as acceptable.

There’s a report in today’s Press and Journal: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/1311936/crackdown-launched-on-regions-danger-drivers/

It’s all about changing public attitudes. And it can be done. Who remembers “Just have one for the road” before driving home?

A90 resurfacing at Newtonhill

Road resurfacing will cause problems for Newtonhill people wanting to join or leave the northbound A90 carriageway.

Thankfully the work is taking place over 10 nights (from Sunday 20 August). I noticed the warning sign on my way back from Stonehaven this afternoon. https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/north-east-road-to-benefit-from-365000-resurfacing-works/

Meanwhile a section of the B979 Stonehaven to Netherley road will be closed under the A90 from 8pm on Friday, 25 August until 6am on Monday, 28 August. The council statement just says the closure is necessary as part of on-going AWPR works, however I’m sure I read somewhere it is to take down scaffolding, not the existing remaining A90 bridge. That comes later.

The Evening Express story says no works will take place at Newtonhill on August 25 and 26 to avoid disruption.

Free workshops for sports clubs

Following a survey of sports clubs, Aberdeenshire Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Service will be providing two new workshops giving them access to support on child protection policies and funding streams.

Bookings are now being taken for the free workshops.

The first, In Safe Hands, is a workshop supporting clubs to put child protection policies into practice and is essential for those acting as clubs’ child protection officers but is also relevant for those managing or organising the club.

The sessions, which all start at 6.30pm and will last three hours, will take place at:

• Westhill Academy on Wednesday, 30 August
• Fraserburgh Development Trust on Monday, 4 September
• Mackie Academy, Stonehaven, on Tuesday, 12 September.

The second workshop will involve presentations from the council, sportscotland and the Federation of Rural Partnerships and will give clubs the chance to learn about the latest funding opportunities and receive tips on how to apply.

The funding workshops, which all start at 7pm and will last for 2 1/2 hours, will take place at:

• Fraserburgh Academy on Monday, 25 September
• Hillside Primary School in Portlethen on Tuesday, 3 October
• Inverurie Academy on Thursday, 12 October.

To sign up or for more information contact Aberdeenshire Council’s Active Communities officer, Fraser Govan on 01467 537 899 or fraser.govan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Lairhillock road finally re-opens

The Lairhillock – Portlethen road has finally reopened. That’s good news. But concerns were expressed by drivers about potholes on the approaches to the new stretch of road.

Last week I asked our roads officers about the potholes on the Rothnick side of the closure and was given the following response: “As regard the maintenance of the existing council road, we propose to go on and infill some of the verge areas before the road opens. However as the road to the East is used as the main access to the AWPR compound we will not be able to carry out any major patching before the road opens. We therefore propose to go in once the road is open under 2-way traffic lights and carry out the necessary repairs, which will cause some minor disruption but as a minimum, access will be maintained.”

Drivers will be pleased. Not only is the new bridge in use, but council staff are now filling the potholes and making repairs to the edges of the road.

Community council discusses housing plan

Much of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council’s meeting tonight was devoted to the proposals for housing on the moor to the south of Newtonhill.

There were 13 members of the public there to discuss the issue and put forward their views. Disquiet was expressed at the masterplan which will be before the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on Tuesday. The community council’s view was the community had not been properly consulted as the masterplan only became available today.

Local police inspector Sheila McDerment also attended to discuss local issues. She appealed for residents to get in touch with Police Scotland – they depend on local people telling them what is happening and causing concern. As well as 999 for emergencies, and 101 for other matters residents can also email local officers at NorthKincardineCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk. Among the concerns raised at the meetings were inconsiderate parking, driving while using a mobile phone, and speeding. Insp McDerment requested that vehicle registrations and other details be passed to the police.

There was an update on Newtonhill’s Christmas lights, with a small committee having been set up. Applications for funding from various bodies are in hand.

There are three vacancies on the community council – two in Newtonhill and one in Cammachmore with the sad death of Frank Caie, a community council stalwart for many years. Morag Andrew was co-opted to fill one of the Newtonhill vacancies. Other volunteers would be welcome.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 20 September in the Skateraw Hall at 7.30pm.

Councillors to discuss local proposals

Among the issues to be discussed by councillors Tuesday’s Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee meeting is a masterplan for the proposed development of 131 homes to the south of Newtonhill.
The Newtonhill housing item is be the final one on the agenda. The report (item 11F) can be found at http://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=8&meetid=18621
Other items on the agenda include a planning application for industrial units at Gillybrands Farm, Cammachmore, and a house and business near Cookney church.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the council chambers at Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, starting at 9.30am.

Causey Mounth work later this year

Here is some further information about work on the Causey Mounth road at Hillside primary school … it should take place later this year.
 
Council officers tell me that within the above school project was the requirement to upgrade a section of the Causey Mounth road  (the C34K) along the west of the school site.
 
“This work has been delayed due to various reasons and cannot now happen until after the existing overhead SSE lines have been grounded and removed around the end of September. The actual road works can then commence at the start of the October school holidays with completion by end of November.”
 
The council officer stressed that the whole programme is dependent on SSE diverting the electrical cables. So far there is no confirmed date.
 
The Causey Mounth road upgrading works have been deleted from the Farrans contract – the company which built the school – and will be undertaken by a separate contractor.

Work starts to move cabinet

Work has started on moving the large grey cabinet at the Braehead in Newtonhill.

Scottish Water’s contractors Kelda Water are to move the cabinet to a less obtrusive site tucked into the hedge at the top of the path to the beach.

A smaller box – no taller than wall – will house electrical equipment necessary for the nearby underground pumping station.

Delay over road reopening

Transport Scotland had hoped to reopen the Portlethen / Lairhillock road at Rothnick this week, but there is still a fair amount of work to do.

Council officers have told me that the road is now not due to open till next week at the earliest, and this is based on the assumption that it passes a safety audit which will take place early next week.

Meanwhile the B979 under the A90 at Stonehaven will close overnight tonight while scaffolding is removed: https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/overnight-weekend-closure-planned-for-busy-commuter-road-in-n-east/?utm_content=buffer9b6fc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer