Villagers put their views on development
Surface dressing to take place
This won’t be popular in the short term with drivers and motorcyclists … the Kincardine and Mearns surface dressing programme is due to commence on Monday 21 May. The programme of works for the next two weeks will be as follows:
W/C 21/05/18
B979 (B9077 Junction to Mains of Altries – Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd – road closure
B979 (U93K to Craigie Cat) – Tuesday 22nd / Wednesday 23rd – Friday 25th – road closure
W/C 28/05/18
C12K – B979 junction to Elrick Farm – Monday 28th – Friday 1st June – road closure
C151C – A93 to Jackieshillock – Wednesday 30th – Friday 1st June – road closure
U67K – Turfcraig to Altries Stables – Thursday 31st – Friday 1st June – road closure
U59K – The Steadings, Ardoe East to Whin Cottage – Friday 1st June – road closure
I am told by the roads service that in the event of bad weather, some adjustments may be required with regards to the dates. They will endeavour to keep us updated as much as is reasonably possible.
There will be speed limits in force once the work is completed.
Round-up from the area committee
The cost of potholes
Help for those who are suffering
Choose Life – Prevent Suicide North East was launched in 2016 with an app designed to help people feeling suicidal to access local services and advice. The app has been used by 29,000 individuals since its launch with the most often used tab being the ‘safety plan’.
The app has also been designed to help those who are worried about a friend or loved one and to help them access support. You can take a look at the app here: http://preventsuicideapp.com/
Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership has been focusing on known suicide triggers such as the breakdown of relationships and the difficulties this can present particularly for men in their middle years. You can see more on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PreventsuicideNEScot/
Fiona Stalker from the BBC will be hosting a Facebook Live panel discussion for the Partnership on Thursday 17 May from 7pm https://www.facebook.com/events/429346757478768/
Please share this information if you wish.
Contactless payment on buses
No card payments at car parks
Buses, bikes, dogs and winter roads
But more importantly it included some issues which may of interest locally.
BUSES – Councillors agreed that the local authority should be a member of the North East of Scotland Bus Alliance Quality Partnership. Its aims include arresting the decline in passenger numbers and improving the performance of bus services. The partnership has a passenger charter which says that bus operators will “provide a modern, accessible and high quality fleet. I took the opportunity to point out that many would not agree that the X7 buses are “accessible”.
The report also mentioned the proposed park and ride north of Portlethen. I asked officers what the next steps are in that regard. I was told that it “very much exists as a project, and has been in the strategy for a number of years.” I was assured it is still on the agenda.
CYCLE ROUTES – A local transport strategy update contained the news that officers have submitted bids to Sustrans for funding for the design of a cycle route from Portlethen to Wellington Road, which I described as the missing link. Bids have also been submitted for financial support for the construction of cycle routes in Portlethen from Muirend Road to Badentoy Road and on Cookston Road. There is more at https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/council-beats-a-path-to-sustrans-door-for-cycle-route-funding/
WINTER ROADS – There was much discussion about improving the roads winter service, in light of recent experiences, which cost the council more than £7m, compared to a average winter spend of £4m.
Mention was made of the lock-block roads in Portlethen which became skating rinks, the need for more, suitably situated grit bins, clearing playgrounds, improved planning of treatment for priority routes, enlisting more help from farmers, better communications, and involving the public in helping themselves.
I urged officers to provide more grit bins, and in the right places.
A root and branch review of policies are to be carried out by dedicated staff, with further reports to come back to councillors.
DOGS – Councillors agreed that a report with various options be taken to area committees about the presence of dogs in school grounds, enclosed council playparks and cemeteries. This could see dogs being banned from these specific places, either as a result of a policy decision or perhaps as a new by-law. Another option would be to take no action. A final decision will be made by the infrastructure services committee after the summer recess.