Flooding has destroyed a bridge at Maryculter, cutting off the local community hall and football pitch. 

Fast-flowing water swept away the foundations of the crossing over the Corbie Burn, near the Mill Inn at Maryculter. 

The loss of the bridge means nearby Corbie Hall and its football pitch are now cut off apart from an emergency access which will need to be upgraded before it could be used. 

Councillor Ian Mollison said: “The bridge is now lying at an angle, with the foundations badly damaged by the recent heavy rains. 

“This is a major challenge for the local community. Although it is a private bridge, I have asked Aberdeenshire Council officials if they can provide any help and advice. The hall plays a key role in the social life of the community. It is well used by local community groups including guides, an under fives group and the community council. 

“Along with Cllrs Carl Nelson and Alison Evison I attended a meeting of residents to discuss how to tackle the problem. Thousands of pound may be needed to remove the bridge, carry out repairs, and replace it. In the meantime access needs to be maintained.”

• Update, 12 January: The bridge has been lifted to the side and work is under way stabilising the banks of the burn so that new foundations can be put in place.
• 30 January: The bridge is back, though not yet open to vehicles as the approaches need reinstated. The bridge is at a higher level than previously, to allow more water to flow underneath.
• And finally: The bridge is back in operation.

More and more people are using trains in Kincardineshire, according to figures from the North East transport partnership Nestrans.

In just one year – between 2009/10 and 2010/11 – patronage at Portlethen has grown by 21%, at Laurencekirk by 15%, and at Stonehaven by 9%. In comparison the number of passengers using Aberdeen and Dyce has risen by 12%, at Inverurie by 18%, and at Huntly and Insch by 7% and 5% respectively.

The average growth in rail station usage across Scotland between 2009/10 and 2010/11 was just 4%.

North Kincardine Councillor Ian Mollison – who is a substitute member of the Nestrans board – commented: “There is an increasing demand for a dependable and frequent rail service in the North East. The recent timetable changes which see more trains stop at the three Kincardineshire stations are most welcome.

“Hopefully more people can let the train take the strain, with fewer cars on the roads. It is important that Portlethen residents in particular take advantage of the extra services that are stopping in the town. 

“These figures strongly support the case for new stations at Kintore, Newtonhill, and elsewhere in the area. It looks as if the Scottish Government will go ahead with re-opening Kintore station. The next in line should be Newtonhill, particularly with major development planned for nearby Chapelton of Elsick.”

A Newtonhill woman is up in arms over a lack of buses on 3 January. The Thursday will be a normal working day for many people, but services are being curtailed by Stagecoach.

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison has contacted Stagecoach to see if anything can be done at this late stage.

He said: “Although many people benefit from a long break over Christmas and New Year, many others do not.

“I have written to Stagecoach managing director Andrew Jarvis to ask if this has been taken into account.”

Councillor Mollison had been contacted by the Newtonhill resident who said: “They are running a Saturday service during the day which will affect quite a lot of people going to work early in the morning – lots of people are back to work on the 3^rd.”

She found out about the changes when she was planning a trip to London.

“I was very disappointed when I picked up the timetable for this period.

“I am flying back from London and I don’t get into Dyce until 9pm. There are no buses to get into Aberdeen or to get from the city to Newtonhill.

“What has happened to public transport? I realise that bus drivers need holidays the same as everyone else but normally the buses have been back to normal on 3 January.

 “As far as I can see there has been no early indication that the buses would not run to their normal timetable until now.

 “It is probably too late to do anything for this year but surely this situation is not right? There are lots of people will not be able to afford taxis and this will probably not help the drink-drive situation!”

• UPDATE, January 2013: Stagecoach say that buses were available, but perhaps their publicity was not clear enough about the services on offer.

Local bus services will have more legroom, a move which was welcomed this week by North Kincardine Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Mollison. 

He said: “I was approached by a Newtonhill resident who told me how uncomfortable it was travelling on some buses because of the lack of legroom between seats.

“I have some sympathy with his complaint as I am 6ft and find it awkward sometimes on buses and planes. It is not too bad if it is a short distance, but longer distances can be most uncomfortable.

 “The resident told me it is impossible to sit correctly as an average male of 5ft11ins on some services – ‘I have experience back pain by the time I’ve reached Aberdeen around an hour later.’ ” 

The councillor continued: “I have now been told that Stagecoach Bluebird is introducing seven new vehicles with high back seats and space for only 40 seated passengers. The extra space should hopefully resolve this problem.” 

Managing director Andrew Jarvis wrote to Cllr Mollison that “these buses will provide ample legroom for passengers. I understand that legroom is important, however under exceptional circumstances we may have to use older buses.” 

Mr Jarvis also updated Cllr Mollison on plans for a smartcard on local services. He said that Stagecoach is currently sourcing a smartcard facility with top-up capabilities very similar to the Oyster card system in London. It is expected to come into service in the summer of 2013.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party to have constistently made the case for home rule for Scotland, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore told local party members and supporters at the weekend.

Mr Moore was the guest speaker at the annual dinner of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency party. In a rousing speech he said that nobody else is making the case for home rule in a federal United Kingdom apart from the Liberal Democrats.

“Scotland can be independent,” he said, “but undoubtedly we are better off within the United Kingdom. The SNP have not done their thinking about independence – that’s how thin their case is. Too many questions remain unanswered.”

In contrast the Liberal Democrats have set out their vision with the publication of a report by the Home Rule and Community Rule Commission, chaired by Sir Menzies Campbell MP: scotlibdems.org.uk/homerule

Mr Moore also set out the some of the positive differences the Liberal Democrats are making in the UK government, including a triple lock on pensions, no identity cards, and raising the starting point for paying tax – which will benefit 160,000 Scots from April.

Earlier Michael Moore discussed his speech with North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison, Stonehaven councillor Peter Bellarby and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Sir Robert Smith.

LOCAL Liberal Democrats have criticised the Scottish Government for ignoring the concerns of business over the level of empty property business rates relief on empty property. 

The comments came after the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc) (Scotland) Bill passed the final stage to become law due to an SNP majority. 

Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Jim Hume MSP had pressed an amendment which would have removed the provisions which allow the Scottish Government to reduce the level of empty property business rates relief.   

The amendment had gained support from both Labour and Conservative parties, but was passed by the SNP majority, defeating opposition amendments. 

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes said: “This was an extremely disappointing day for business in Scotland and a disappointing day for jobs in Scotland. The debate saw the SNP bulldozer in top gear, ignoring the concerns of opposition parties and respected business groups.” 

Stonehaven councillor Peter Bellarby commented: “Liberal Democrats remain concerned that this will hit businesses hard and do nothing to regenerate struggling town centres. The SNP government wants to hammer businesses with high taxes when it should be helping them to recover and grow.” 

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison added: “Reducing the level of rates relief on unoccupied properties will increase the burden on businesses. This is not the way to get Scotland out of a recession.”

Campaigners against the Aberdeen bypass have lost their appeal to the UK’s Supreme Court. Among those welcoming today’s decision was North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison.

He said: “The years of uncertainty have not been good for objectors or supporters of the route. Now the Scottish Government can get on with the job of building a road which will take the pressure off the existing A90 and off the unofficial bypass – the Netherley road.”

The 28-mile road was given the green light by Scottish ministers in 2009. However, campaigners led by Westhill resident William Walton challenged the decision through the courts including a two-day hearing at the Supreme Court in London earlier this year. Mr Walton now lives in Newcastle.

Business leaders and several politicians have been critical of legal delays to the road, arguing it is vital for the North East economy.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes commented: “I welcome the Supreme Court’s judgement and sincerely hope that Mr Walton will accept it and allow this vital project to proceed without further delay.

“The Scottish Government must now act quickly to drive this project forward. It has had months to finalise its plans while awaiting this latest appeal. It needs to finally provide a concrete timetable, details of the construction costs and explain how it will fund the project. It can no longer blame legal gridlock for its inaction.”

Sir Robert Smith, Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, added: “The North East of Scotland’s crucial role in supporting the economy requires effective transport links. The Scottish Government must now deliver the project as quickly as possible.”

Sir Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, stated: “The Scottish Government now needs to proceed to construct this vital route as soon as possible and stop needlessly delaying the Balmedie-Tipperty A90 upgrade. The by-pass is essential for the development of the Gordon constituency but it is only part of the transport plan for the North East.

“It is clear that our local road infrastructure does not meet the needs of our expanding local communities and businesses. The AWPR, alongside the Third Don Crossing and improvements to the Haudagain, will help relieve the congestion problems that blight Aberdeen.”

More details on the Supreme Court’s judgement can be found here:

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/docs/uksc-2012-0098-press-summary.pdf

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/docs/uksc-2012-0098-judgment.pdf

More pressure is being put on Transport Scotland to construct grade-separated junctions at Laurencekirk on the A90. 

A report in support of the case has been commended by the board of the North East Transport Partnership Nestrans. It highlights that previous predictions for future traffic levels in the Laurencekirk are have been significantly underestimated. 

At present there is a 50mph zone at the southern exit to Laurencekirk, with speed cameras, in an effort to prevent serious accidents.

The analysis of recent studies also compares the situation with Newtonhill which saw a flyover built by Grampian Regional Council in the early 1990s. The population of Newtonhill in 1991 was 2139. At that time Laurencekirk had 1513 residents, which rose to 1808 in 2001, and 2440 in 2008. With more houses now planned for Laurencekirk, it is estimated that the town’s population in 2023 will be 4768.  

Councillor Ian Mollison told the Nestrans board meeting that he had been one of the campaigners for a Newtonhill flyover. “Our junction with the dual carriageway had been a tragedy waiting to happen. It took up to 40 minutes to get out of Newtonhill in the morning. Thankfully the flyover averted a major loss of life. Laurencekirk is in desperate need of such investment.” 

Nestrans chairman Cllr Peter Argyle commented that if a flyover could be built for a garden centre between Dundee and Perth on the A90 then surely Laurencekirk had a very strong case. 

The report is now being submitted to Transport Scotland, urging the Scottish Government department to give further consideration to grade separated junctions at Laurencekirk.