Slow progress over A90 danger verge

Transport Scotland is taking action to stop drivers churning up the roadside verge on the A90 at Newtonhill.
 
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Mollison explains: “I have been approached by a number of constituents over the verge on the dual carriageway beside the Tesco store. The community council also asked me to raise the issue with Transport Scotland.
 
“We suspect lorries and other vehicles have been pulling in at the bus lay-by but parking on the grass verge. Whether this is for safety reasons, bad driving, or extra wide vehicles, who can say. But the outcome is that the vehicles have churned up the verge on the southbound carriageway. The suspicion is that drivers have gone into the nearby Tesco. They cannot spend an extra minute driving off the dual carriageway and parking in the store’s car park.
 
“The result is a mess. The grass is unsightly. It looks as if it has been ploughed – badly. But was well as looking unsightly, there is a more serious concern. If the bus overshoots the stop slightly then passengers could have to alight into several inches of uneven and squelchy mud.
 
“Transport Scotland chief executive David Middleton tells me that ‘unfortunately there are few physical measures which are effective in discouraging motorists from parking at such locations.'”
 
Mr Middleton had however a glimmer of hope. He told Cllr Mollison: “As there is a clearway order in place on this section of road, it is a road traffic offence to park on the trunk road. Our operating company BEAR Scotland Ltd has notified the police of this issue and requested that the site is monitored for any further occurrence, with enforcement carried out where appropriate.
 
“BEAR Scotland will continue to monitor the site during weekly inspections and carry out repairs as necessary.”
 
Cllr Mollison added: “I am glad that some progress is being made.”

Community council appeals for members

Newtonhill’s community council has launched an appeal for new members. Five volunteers are needed from the village to bring the numbers up to full strength.
 
The Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council also has two vacancies in Cammachmore.
 
The returning officer is former community council chairman Councillor Ian Mollison. “Leaflets have been distributed round the area, an advert has appeared in the Mearns Leader, and posters have been put up, all in an effort to encourage new blood to come forward and join the existing members.
 
“The community council plays a vital role in shaping the future of the area, and influences the decisions being made by the local authority and other official bodies. There’s a strong link with the police, for example.
 
“The meetings are held on one evening a month, usually in the primary school, so the commitment is not overwhelming. However it is important that there is a full complement of members so that there can be a good cross-section of opinion when discussing issues such as planning applications. With the Chapelton of Elsick development imminent, it is key that there is a strong voice monitoring the plans.
 
“The closing date for applications is Wednesday 20 February, and anyone interested should get in touch with me at cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.”

Improvements ruled out at accident blackspot

Transport Scotland has ruled out any improvements on the A90 at the Portlethen flyover, which has seen a number of crashes in recent weeks.
 
Chief executive David Middleton has told local councillor Ian Mollison that “an initial assessment of this section of the A90 suggests that its accident rate is consistent with the average for all trunk roads.”
 
Mr Middleton continued: “The lining on the slip road and the main carriageway at Portlethen were renewed in December 2012, but it is unlikely that any significant changes to the junction will be made in the near future.”
 
Councillor Mollison commented: “I had been approached by a number of residents who were concerned that crashes were happening regularly on that stretch of road. Thankfully there have been no fatalities, but it is always a possibility. Injuries can be life changing, so every step must be taken to make the roads as safe as possible.
 
“The crashes also cause traffic jams stretching for miles, delaying everyone and causing people to miss appointments, be late for work, and miss connections.
 
“One resident had raised the question of lowering the speed limit on a part-time basis. Mr Middleton has ruled that out. He said that Transport Scotland had recently completed a review of speed limits on A class tdrunk roads. With regard to Portlethen, the review concluded that the existing national speed limit was suitable for this section of the A90.
 
“Mr Middleton also said that Transport Scotland has to ensure that the limited funding available can be targeted at those areas that provide the greatest accident casualty savings.”

Reassurance over Newtonhill landslip

Warning signs have been put up in Newtonhill following a landslip into the valley of the Elsick Burn. However it is believed there is no immediate risk to nearby housing.
 
Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Mollison, who lives in the village, said: “I saw the landslip just after the heavy rains during the festive break. I contacted council officials as it is one of the biggest land slides I have seen in the valley. Over the years areas have slid down to the burn, but this was of a different magnitude.
 
“What concerned me was that just above the landslip are houses in Tern Court and Turnstone Court. However I have been reassured that although it was a substantial landslip there is no need to be alarmed.
 
“I have been advised by council officials that there is no immediate risk. The council has had specialist technical experts look at the landslip and will keep monitoring it. The initial inspection confirmed that the slope was not moving at the time but they will keep an eye on it before deciding if any further action is required.”
 
Meanwhile the warning signs saying “Danger landslip” have been put up at two locations near the houses as a precaution in case anyone tries to access the area.

Warning over internet scam

Kincardineshire people were warned this week to beware of a well-known internet scam which has been revived. Hackers break into email accounts to send a bogus appeal for money.

North Kincardine Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Mollison said: “I am aware of three attempts in the past week. In one version the message says the sender is stranded in Manila in the Philippines as muggers had stolen his mobile phone and credit cards, clearing out the account. In another version the passport is also stolen. The common theme is to ask for money to be sent straight away.

“The first time I received the email I was nearly taken in. The appeal was supposedly coming from someone who lives in Portlethen. It is well written and is not littered with the mistakes and nonsense there used to be in the scam emails everyone received from West Africa. And these days it is quite feasible for Scots to be holidaying in the Far East.

“The second email I received had exactly the same wording, and came from a colleague who lives in Insch. I knew for sure he wasn’t in the Philippines!

“The other version said that Limassol in Cyprus was the scene of the mugging. Some people have been fooled by the messages. The scam is very convincing.”

Findon housing plan turned down

A plan for seven houses in Findon has been turned down by councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee. 

Full planning permission was being sought for the houses in the grounds of a now-demolished 1950s bungalow called Ceolmara on Findon Road. The site is on the western edge of the coastal village, with closely-planted trees, including some which are subject to a tree preservation order. 

The application attracted strong opposition from many residents in the village. Among the objections were comments that the removal of the trees – mainly sycamore – would change the character of the village. Other comments were based on overdevelopment, inadequate road access, and the fact that the new access road would impinge on to the Green Belt. 

A similar application was refused in 2009, and another application in 2010 for seven houses was subsequently withdrawn. 

Councillors voted by six to four to refuse. North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison said: “Planning officers recommended approval though they conceded it contravened the Green Belt policy by building on agricultural land. The case was finely balanced, but in the end I was not convinced this plan should be approved.”

New fence to stop stray footballs

A new extra high fence has been erected at Newtonhill’s football pitch to stop balls straying on to the nearby road and local gardens.

Local councillor Ian Mollison welcomed the work. “The new fence is all-metal bar an extra six feet of netting above the goal area. It replaces a lower one which had done good service but had seen better days.

“Over the years I have received complaints from drivers on Park Place and from nearby residents when footballs flew over the old fence and bounced on to the road and into gardens. On the odd occasion a ball hit windows. Some local people were concerned for their safety while a match was taking place.

“The pitch is used regularly by the Newtonhill and Cammachmore football teams, and by the public. Aberdeenshire Council’s investment here will be welcomed by residents and footballers alike.”

Talking stock of the festive storm damage

The scale of local damage from the heavy rainfall during the festive period shocked community councillors in Newtonhill when they were told the details at their last meeting. 

Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council heard of damage to properties throughout the area. 

In Newtonhill, one house was devastated after the Elsick burn ran through the lower floors, washed away paths, undermined garage foundations, and knocked over walls. The owner has had to move out until major repairs are carried out. 

Two bridges at Newtonhill beach have been affected with the supports being eroded by the volume of water from the Elsick Burn. One bridge is no longer in place. 

Power and water supplies to houses were interrupted as the burn became so swollen that it burst its banks in various places. Parts of the valley slopes became unstable, causing landslides. 

A right of way from Newtonhill to Cammachmore going past the Mill of Elsick has been closed by Aberdeenshire Council after the burn swept aside walls and scoured out the path. 

A number of homes at West Cammachmore were badly affected when a water course burst its banks and flooded properties, with two properties being devastated. A wall was also destroyed by the water. 

Footbridges between Newtonhill and Muchalls over the Pheppie Burn were washed away. 

The path from Muchalls to the beach was closed after landslides. 

Councillor Alison Evison, Councillor Ian Mollison, and Councillor Carl Nelson – who all represent the area – were at the meeting to hear what happened. All three had each visited different scenes of the damage.  

Councillor Mollison told the meeting: “I have not known anything like this in the 40 years I have lived here.” 

Call for probe after A90 crashes

A series of crashes on the A90 dual carriageway at Portlethen has prompted local Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Mollison to call for further investigations to see if there is a common cause. 

He explained: “The recent crashes have caused huge tail-backs on the A90 as morning commuters try to get to work. The delays have been horrendous. 

“Thankfully there have been no fatalities or serious injuries.  

“However accidents keep happening at the flyover to Badentoy and Asda. In one crash a five-car pile-up caused eight miles of tailbacks during rush hour on 7 January. The for a second time in 48 hours commuters to Aberdeen faced more traffic chaos when three vehicles were in a crash on the northbound A90 at Portlethen.  

“The flyover and its access roads were fine when they were built, but I understand they are not at today’s standards. The sightlines and the merge lanes do not meet today’s more exacting criteria. 

“There’s more traffic and everyone is in a rush.  

“Although some work has been done recently at the roundabout at the entrance to the Badentoy industrial estate, is it sufficient? 

“I have asked the police and Transport Scotland – who are responsible for the A90 – to see if there is any common link. Too many accidents are happening there for it just to be co-incidence. 

“One Portlethen constituent told me that she is very worried about the number of accidents happening at the flyover on an almost daily basis during the morning rush hour. She feels people are driving too fast and the sliproad is too short.  

“Her suggestion is for the speed limit to be reduced to 40mph at the morning rush hour on the northbound carriageway. I am not so sure as that may cause other problems, but I have asked the police and Transport Scotland to consider her suggestion.”

Drivers ‘dicing with death’ on South Deeside Road

Drivers could be dicing with death after safety barriers were removed above a collapsed culvert on the South Deeside Road.

Flood water washed away subsoil under the B9077 road on the outskirts of Aberdeen leaving the route close to collapse, though the surface appeared intact.

The road has been closed between Elm Cottage and Banchory Devenick Church.

But barriers put in place for drivers’ safety have been repeatedly removed, meaning motorists could be risking their lives to shave only minutes off their commuting time.

Local councillor Ian Mollison warned that lives could be in danger as a result. He said: “The road was closed after a collapsing culvert was discovered on Monday 24 December. 

“Notices were put up by Aberdeenshire Council diverting traffic across the River Dee via the Milltimber Bridge and the Bridge of Dee.” 

However at the weekend Councillor Mollison found that the barriers had been opened and traffic was squeezing past the obstruction, not realising how dangerous it was. 

He said: “At a casual glance drivers would wonder why the road was shut. However on closer inspection it is obvious that the road could collapse. 

“I was shocked to see that the barriers had been pulled to the side. I hate to think what the consequences might be, especially at night.” 

The Liberal Democrat continued: “I contacted council officials and the barriers were replaced, and reinforced with sandbags. However once again drivers pulled them aside. 

“Repairs will be put in hand from Thursday. The emergency closure notice lasts for three weeks, and I am assured by roads officials they are confident it can be completed in that time. 

“Meanwhile I appeal to drivers to follow the diversion, no matter how inconvenient. The council does not close a road without good reason. And that reason could be to save your life.”

  • Update: The road reopened on Friday 11 January. Workmen said that drivers were still trying to get past as they were fixing the subsidence under the road. Every morning when they arrived at the scene the bollards and barriers had been thrown aside.