North East Conservative MSP Liam Kerr led a members’ business debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 25 April about the possibility of re-opening railways stations at Newtonhill and Cove.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, told parliament: “Even if the detailed appraisal concludes that one or both of the stations may have a strong case to move forward, there are a number of hurdles that need to be cleared before it can progress.”

North East transport partnership Nestrans is carrying out the detailed appraisal, which should be completed by the end of this year.

Mt Kerr’s motion achieved cross-party support and follows a petition which gained more than 1,500 responses.

The motion read: “That the Parliament welcomes the recent Nestrans report that recommends that the potential new railway stations at Cove and Newtonhill should undergo a detailed appraisal; notes the view that there is a desperate need for these communities to be linked up with the rail network after, it considers, years of transport funding being directed to the Central Belt; understands that over 1,550 people have signed a petition calling on the stations to be opened, and thanks the Campaign for North East Rail and local residents for their tireless campaigning on this issue.”

More here: https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/new-north-east-stations-should-9246331

Today was the funeral of former Evening Express colleague Alastair Robertson, who died suddenly on 23 February, 2024, aged 75.

Alastair was an old Etonian, with a presence to match. A character in the newsroom whose copy was a delight to edit. Colleagues described him as “a colourful character to work alongside, and such a fund of memorable tales”, “wonderful company”, and a “true professional”.

His copy went on to grace the pages of grander publications than the EE.

The funeral was taking place this afternoon in Strathbogie Church, Huntly.

Cove and Newtonhill could finally get their railway stations back at a cost of £40m, according to new plans by Nestrans (the North East transport partnership).

It is a step in the right direction, but I can’t see Newtonhill station opening again any time soon, especially as the Scottish Government has just called a halt on NHS bricks and mortar investment. Nonetheless I am glad that Nestrans is looking further into this as one day things will get better.

This forthcoming detailed options appraisal is the final study stage in the Scottish appraisal system for such projects.

Nestrans is reviewing ways to promote active travel with stations at Newtonhill and Cove (at a cost of £20m each) being two of five key measures identified in a public study.

The study, commissioned in 2023, found the number of people who use the car to travel between Newtonhill/Cove and Aberdeen was higher than the national average.

The options include bus priority routes in Aberdeen, a mobility hub to the south of the city, and improved travel infrastructure between Aberdeen and Stonehaven.

More here from the Nestrans website: https://www.nestrans.org.uk/news/rail-stations-at-cove-and-newtonhill-to-undergo-detailed-appraisal/

About 50 people attended tonight’s meeting to discuss the rebuilding of the bridge over the Elsick Burn at Newtonhill.

A committee was being formed to discuss what actions can be taken given that a replacement of the bridge is not a high priority on Aberdeenshire Council’s programme.

Options include a petition to the council, a survey to determine what villagers would prefer, a fund-raising campaign to pay for a bridge much much sooner than the council can afford, or providing an alternative access for the one house on that cul-de-sac and a reinstatement of the route for walkers and cyclists.

The photograph shows Councillor Mel Sullivan setting out the facts for the meeting in the Bettridge Centre.

Council workers are busy just now reinforcing the bank where the wee bridge over the Elsick Burn in Newtonhill used to be.

The bridge had to be removed as it was no longer safe. It had been closed to traffic for some months now but was still in use by walkers. However, more heavy rain had undermined the structure so that pedestrians were in danger as it could collapse at any time. Fencing was put up to close it completely.

The engineers told me this morning that people were still crossing it, moving the barriers.

With Storm Babet due to bring heavy rain our way tomorrow and Friday, the bridge had to come down before it fell down. The cracks in the structure were getting bigger.

Engineers had hoped it would have been a solid stone bridge, but no. It was a facade of stone with earth behind. Fine in the days of horse and cart, but not now. The stone used in its construction are being placed along the riverbank to protect the embankment from being washed away, along with stone from one of the council’s quarries.

So what next? There are a few options. It could be replaced by a modern road bridge, but that’s expensive and there are many bridges already on the list of those needing repaired or replaced across Aberdeenshire.

Or a footbridge could be put in place, but that would be a tad awkward to say the least for the one householder on that road who currently faces a difficult manoeuvre through an emergency access into St Anne’s Wynd. Maybe the turning circle could be made better?

I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision.

By the way, I hear that Councillor Mel Sullivan was at the site this morning to see what’s what. Here is a link to her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057426603901

I see that the faulty speed cameras on Badentoy Road in Portlethen have finally been removed.

They had been showing speeds in kilometres per hour rather than miles per hour for three years or more. Pointless. I complained regularly to the council’s roads service, but nothing happened. Until now. Maybe I should have a bit more patience? Hmm.

It looks like a very low spring tide at Newtonhill, with the Elsick Burn meandering through mud and sand to reach the North Sea. I have never seen this before.

Someone said it looks like a scene before a tsunami strikes, when the sea retreats and then unleashes mountainous torrents.

I have just had a most useful chat with constituency MSP Audrey Nicoll as she begins the summer recess with a programme of advice surgeries. You can guess the topic I wanted to discuss: the potential re-opening of Newtonhill and Cove railway stations.

I’m pleased to say she remains on board and will press the new transport minister for progress.

We talked through the advantages and disadvantages of a halt in the community. I find it so frustrating seeing the two-carriage Montrose to Inverurie commuter service zoom through when it could so easily stop. Imagine a journey from Newtonhill to Aberdeen that takes about 15 minutes!

An attractive new feature at the entrance to the village … the project by the community council has had financial support from Aberdeenshire Council, attracting grants totalling £6500.

One member of the community council in particular has been the driving force.

The project has taken longer than was expected. At first they had hoped to use a large stone from the moor (where the new houses now are) but that didn’t work out. Apparently it was the wrong type of stone.

Funding came from Aberdeenshire Council, the Meikle Carewe windfarm community fund, plus a contribution from Barratt and some from community council accumulated funds.

The community council would consider similar projects in Muchalls and Cammachmore. It depends on the views of residents.

The other day I was at the retirement presentation for Kincardine and Mearns area manager Bruce Stewart at the council offices in Stonehaven.

The post is a key role in liaising between local communities and Aberdeenshire Council. It can be a tough one as quite often the council cannot – usually for financial reasons – always meet the aspirations of the community. Bruce Stewart, like his predecessor Willie Munro, did their best. When I was a councillor I always found Bruce and Willie to be most supportive. I hope Bruce enjoys his retirement (after more than 35 years with the council) as much as Willie!

I had a chat with the new area manager, Tim Stephen, who I knew from his time with the council’s sports and culture arm Live Life Aberdeenshire. I wish him well.