The Burnhead road closure continues. I am told by council officers that “due to further delays on the AWPR works, the closure on the C5K will now remain in place until 27 October.”
This has been going on for too long. Previously I was told the delay was being caused by public utility works and shold be completed by 16 October.
I raised a couple of local issues at today’s meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee.
I was given assurances that work is continuing on a long-distance strategic cycle route from Aberdeen to Stonehaven. Officers told me that they are looking at incremental improvements particularly in the Portlethen / Newtonhill / Muchalls area away from the A90. Consultants are looking at the potential route options, but I know there are land issues especially between Portlethen and Cammachmore.
It is intended that the outcome of these studies (other areas also being investigated – the Formartine and Buchan Way, Balmedie / Ellon and Blackburn / Kintore) will be used to support grant funding bids.
Cycling Scotland is providing grants for cycle parking at (1) Woodhill House, Aberdeen, (2) Gordon House, Inverurie, (3) Viewmount in Stonehaven, and (4) Newtonhill Library. I have asked for further information about the Newtonhill plans. No objection whatsoever to this going ahead, but does seem an interesting choice of venues.
It looks as if there will be no fireworks display in Newtonhill this year.
Newtonhill Village Association’s annual general meeting heard tonight that a public entertainment licence may be required – relatively recent legislation. This only came to the attention of the NVA in the last few days. However applications need to be made to the local authority at least eight weeks before an event, and we are too close to Bonfire Night to meet that deadline. The NVA will check with Aberdeenshire Council to see if there is any leeway.
Eighteen people attended the AGM in the Skateraw Hall, and heard reports of the successes of the NVA and its arms-length bodies (the Common Good Fund, the Newtonhill Environment Action Team, and the Skateraw Fair).
A major project is being undertaken, improving the play equipment in Newtonhill Park. The £1200 profit from this year’s fair is being put towards the project, rather than the Common Good Fund. The fund did not support any applications this year, leaving more than £5000 in its kitty. Planning has already started for the 2018 fair, though more volunteers would be most welcome.
Also worthy of mention is the success in raising £5855.61 to replace the two defibrillators stolen in the village.
The office-bearers remain in post (Alanna Cooper, Lynne Riach, Lisa Stephen and Sandra McGeorge, though Alanna would like to step down as chair). Andy Ward agreed to join the committee.
The NVA family does lots of good things I haven’t mentioned, such as the Santa Run, the Seniors’ Party, a litter pick, the NEAT quiz (10 November in the Skateraw Hall), a 200 Club, and so on. If you would like to get involved the next meeting is on Wednesday 1 November in the Bettridge at 7.30pm. A great way to make new friends!
There is still no opening date for the AWPR. At a meeting tonight with the managing agent and contractor representatives I was told that the completion date will be early 2018.
We heard that much of the main route is at the stage of coming to a conclusion. The contractors can lay 1 kilometre (what’s wrong with miles?) of tar per day – and there are 58 kms of the main road in total. Some has already been completed. There are also 18 kms of new footpaths and cycle paths (though not parallel to the AWPR).
– In a few weeks they will be demolishing the Charleston flyover. Traffic will be diverted on to the new bridge – probably – next weekend.
– There are three sections to be added in the middle of the new Dee crossing. The final stitch will be in early November, and it will be finished by early January.
– At the Stonehaven junction, the beams across the B979 road should be in place by the end of the month and the new A90 bridge completed by Christmas. This is weather-dependent though.
– I was assured that the target for reopening the local roads at Burnhead is 16 October. It could be a day earlier, or a day later.
– There are on-going discussions among the interested parties (including the local councils) about the arrangements for reinstating local roads once the AWPR construction work is completed.
– Detrunking of the existing A90 will take place in the April following the opening of the new road. That means responsibility for the current road will transfer to the two local authorities.
– I also asked about the suggestion that people are given the opportunity to walk the AWPR before it is opened to traffic. I was told that they are keen to take that forward and it is being given consideration by the partners.
– Aberdeen Roads Ltd will maintain a local presence for 30 years after the road is opened as they will be responsible for maintenance, cleaning, and gritting. A site has yet to be identified for the 30 or so staff. At its peak the project employed 2300 people of 22 nationalities.
This morning I was pleased to support two applications for grants from the council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee budget.
Portlethen and District Community Council will receive £4000, half the cost of purchasing and refurbishing a derelict lock-up in the town. It will be used to store the town’s Christmas lights, a gazebo and so on.
Portlethen & District Men’s Shed will also receive £1836 towards the cost of refurbishing the former toilet block in the town. Much of the work is now complete, but a new doorway, a disabled toilet and a concrete ramp remain to be installed. The group received £2000 from the Co-op earlier this year and today’s grant will be used to match that.
Applications for grants would be welcome – more than £40,000 remains in the budget to be spent by the end of the financial year.
The roundabout coming off the A90 by the flyover (at the junction with Muirend Road) in Portlethen is not so bonny at the moment, with the grass uncut and kerbstones lying randomly at the north verge.
I am told by council officers that Aberdeenshire Council is in discussion with a civil engineering consultant acting on behalf of a client at Badentoy. As part of their approval they have to make amendments to this approach/exit to the roundabout. Various options are being considered including widening on the north and/or south as you approach the roundabout from the east. Until such time that this proposal is agreed/implemented, it was felt that any interim repairs to the kerbing would be counter-productive.
However as the situation has been ongoing for some considerable time, officers will look to get a timescale on the amended layout and, if nothing is proposed within the next 10-12 weeks, will look to carry out minimal repair work to the kerbing.
Meanwhile regarding the central island grass, roads officers and landscape service officers are considering a way forward. The grass cutting ceased after an incident involving a vehicle.
UPDATE 6 October: I hear that workers are at the site this morning!
A reminder that there will be a consultation workshop on Aberdeenshire Council’s strategic priorities and Local Development Planning in Portlethen Community Campus on Thursday 5 October from 6.45 – 9pm.
All residents, community groups and organisations are welcome, but please tell Kincardineshire Development Partnership if you plan to attend, for catering and logistical purposes. Email them at officesupport@kincardineshiredp.org.
Owing to emergency drainage works Aberdeenshire Council will close the U67K country road east of Stobhall for three days from Monday 2 October.
