Lairhillock road finally re-opens

The Lairhillock – Portlethen road has finally reopened. That’s good news. But concerns were expressed by drivers about potholes on the approaches to the new stretch of road.

Last week I asked our roads officers about the potholes on the Rothnick side of the closure and was given the following response: “As regard the maintenance of the existing council road, we propose to go on and infill some of the verge areas before the road opens. However as the road to the East is used as the main access to the AWPR compound we will not be able to carry out any major patching before the road opens. We therefore propose to go in once the road is open under 2-way traffic lights and carry out the necessary repairs, which will cause some minor disruption but as a minimum, access will be maintained.”

Drivers will be pleased. Not only is the new bridge in use, but council staff are now filling the potholes and making repairs to the edges of the road.

Community council discusses housing plan

Much of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council’s meeting tonight was devoted to the proposals for housing on the moor to the south of Newtonhill.

There were 13 members of the public there to discuss the issue and put forward their views. Disquiet was expressed at the masterplan which will be before the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on Tuesday. The community council’s view was the community had not been properly consulted as the masterplan only became available today.

Local police inspector Sheila McDerment also attended to discuss local issues. She appealed for residents to get in touch with Police Scotland – they depend on local people telling them what is happening and causing concern. As well as 999 for emergencies, and 101 for other matters residents can also email local officers at NorthKincardineCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk. Among the concerns raised at the meetings were inconsiderate parking, driving while using a mobile phone, and speeding. Insp McDerment requested that vehicle registrations and other details be passed to the police.

There was an update on Newtonhill’s Christmas lights, with a small committee having been set up. Applications for funding from various bodies are in hand.

There are three vacancies on the community council – two in Newtonhill and one in Cammachmore with the sad death of Frank Caie, a community council stalwart for many years. Morag Andrew was co-opted to fill one of the Newtonhill vacancies. Other volunteers would be welcome.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 20 September in the Skateraw Hall at 7.30pm.

Councillors to discuss local proposals

Among the issues to be discussed by councillors Tuesday’s Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee meeting is a masterplan for the proposed development of 131 homes to the south of Newtonhill.
The Newtonhill housing item is be the final one on the agenda. The report (item 11F) can be found at http://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=8&meetid=18621
Other items on the agenda include a planning application for industrial units at Gillybrands Farm, Cammachmore, and a house and business near Cookney church.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the council chambers at Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, starting at 9.30am.

Causey Mounth work later this year

Here is some further information about work on the Causey Mounth road at Hillside primary school … it should take place later this year.
 
Council officers tell me that within the above school project was the requirement to upgrade a section of the Causey Mounth road  (the C34K) along the west of the school site.
 
“This work has been delayed due to various reasons and cannot now happen until after the existing overhead SSE lines have been grounded and removed around the end of September. The actual road works can then commence at the start of the October school holidays with completion by end of November.”
 
The council officer stressed that the whole programme is dependent on SSE diverting the electrical cables. So far there is no confirmed date.
 
The Causey Mounth road upgrading works have been deleted from the Farrans contract – the company which built the school – and will be undertaken by a separate contractor.

Work starts to move cabinet

Work has started on moving the large grey cabinet at the Braehead in Newtonhill.

Scottish Water’s contractors Kelda Water are to move the cabinet to a less obtrusive site tucked into the hedge at the top of the path to the beach.

A smaller box – no taller than wall – will house electrical equipment necessary for the nearby underground pumping station.

Delay over road reopening

Transport Scotland had hoped to reopen the Portlethen / Lairhillock road at Rothnick this week, but there is still a fair amount of work to do.

Council officers have told me that the road is now not due to open till next week at the earliest, and this is based on the assumption that it passes a safety audit which will take place early next week.

Meanwhile the B979 under the A90 at Stonehaven will close overnight tonight while scaffolding is removed: https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/overnight-weekend-closure-planned-for-busy-commuter-road-in-n-east/?utm_content=buffer9b6fc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Background to housing plan changes

Some further information from Aberdeenshire Council’s planners about the amended plans for the site to the south of Newtonhill:

“The application was submitted on 31 May without significant information relating to transportation and roads issues. This lack of information was insufficient to invalidate the application. This additional information was submitted at the end of July. The additional information is fundamental to the consideration and determination of the application and as such the application has been re-neighbour notified, re-advertised and re-consultation with consultees carried out. This allows third parties the opportunity to make further representation on the application, including relating to the additional information.

“There have been a number of other more minor amendments during the course of the application as is common when assessing an application of this complexity. However these amendments would not be considered to be of a nature significant enough to warrant re-advertising and re-neighbour notification though the revised plans and documents appear on the website so interested parties can keep abreast of the progress of the application.

“The neighbour re-notification letters dated 02 August says the deadline for comment is within 21 days. The application was also re-advertised in the local press on 11 August and all third parties have the opportunity to make representation within three weeks of the appearance of the advert. This is detailed on the council website as by 31 August, which is the final date. Unfortunately the letters are often sent before the advert appears in the weekly press resulting in the conflicting dates. I re-iterate, the final date for submitting letters of representation is 31 August.”

Previously submitted representations are still valid.

Exam results out

Pupils received their exams results today, with half of S4 pupils in Aberdeenshire achieving five or more National 5 qualifications. That is up 2% compared with the previous year.

This is the fourth year students have sat National 3, 4 and 5 exams under the Curriculum for Excellence with S5 and S6 pupils continuing to sit qualifications at Higher and Advanced Higher level.

The percentage of S5 pupils in Aberdeenshire awarded three or more Highers in one sitting is 43%, a 4% increase compared with 2016. Furthermore, the percentage of S6 pupils who gained five or more Highers at the end of S6 is 37% which is a 3% rise in comparison with the previous year.

Students sat exams in both vocational and academic subjects ranging from English and Maths to Fashion and textile technology and Dance, Design and Manufacture as well as Advanced Highers in Music technology.

Pass rates for Levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 all increased compared with 2016. The pass rate for Level 4 and Level 6 both rose by 0.3%; Level 5 increased by more than 1%; Level 7 went up 0.7%.