Problems with Newtonhill school buses

Given the problems with school buses between Newtonhill and Portlethen Academy, this morning I went round to the pick up point at the Village Store to see for myself.

Two double deckers were there. The A bus was taking on pupils, including some who did not have passes (waiting for a pass to arrive). Another pupil for the G bus told the driver he had left his pass at home.

The B bus arrived in time, but without the B designation – the display board had been updated at the depot overnight but unfortunately the B option had been missed out. Again that bus was carrying pupils who did not have their passes. Drivers have been told not to leave pupils behind.

The allotted time came for the A and the B double deckers to leave – but the G coach had not arrived, so they waited in case there had been a problem. A phone call to Stagecoach established it had been having door problems and was running late. It was at Cammachmore and would be there shortly. The rain came on!

When the G coach arrived the children piled on as the A and B buses left to pick up more pupils on Newtonhill Road.

The G coach had a large laminated sign at the front saying G – but a “B” on the side display!

I phoned the academy who said that Stagecoach had been in touch to say the buses would not arrive by 8.45.

I’ll be contacting council officers – again – to see what can be done to get the system running smoothly.

ATM robbers jailed

Prison sentences totalling 92 years for robberies, including the ATM in Newtonhill, have been handed down at Liverpool Crown Court.

According to Police Scotland’s North East Scotland Facebook page, seven men were sentenced today for a total of 92 years imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court, for a series of thefts/attempt thefts from cash machines throughout the UK and a number of burglaries. This included the ATM attacks in 2015 and 2016 in Kingswells, Newtonhill, Carnoustie, and Perth.

The following statement has been issued by Police Scotland on today’s sentencing:

Detective Superintendent Alex Dowall said: “Today’s sentences emphasises the seriousness of crimes of this type and recognises the impact serious and organised crime has on our communities.

“The communities that were targeted by this group are safe places to live and not exposed to crimes of such a serious, dangerous and crude nature. The impact they had on the people who live within them cannot be underestimated and I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public and the communities of the North East for their assistance, support and patience throughout.”

The CCTV footage above is from the ATM incident at Kingswells in Aberdeen. The footage shows the failed explosion and the group’s subsequent efforts to extract the ATM using cutting equipment.

Further details on the sentences can be found at the following link-http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/…/seven-men-sentenced-blowin…

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Road closure at Duffs Hill

More road closures. Aberdeenshire Council officers tell me that the U58K country road is to be closed while Leiths (Scotland) Ltd carry out duct crossings, install a water main, realign kerbs and surface the carriageway at Duffs Hill. This work begins on Monday 8 May and lasts for four weeks. Emergency and pedestrian access will be from the west.

Spotlight on Newtonhill area

Tonight, Newtonhill Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council. Here are some of the key points:

– Work to tackle wet rot under the floor and dampness will cost St Ternan’s Church at Muchalls more than £20,000. Grants are being sought, and the community council agreed to provide a letter of support.

– The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has said there is nothing he can do regarding Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to sell land on Park Place. Individuals are seeking further information.

– Tribute was paid to Councillor Carl Nelson who is standing down at the elections after 25 years representing the area. Carl is a former chairman of the community council.

– An appeal has been lodged against the refusal of planning permission for new houses on the site of the Cammies hotel.

The meeting was chaired by new member Alison Daniels.

Business rates relief unveiled

Businesses throughout Aberdeenshire will find out this week if they are entitled to rates relief under a new council scheme.

In March, councillors agreed a local relief scheme after they set aside up to £3m of enabling money. This decision was followed by a further announcement from the Scottish Government introducing a new national and local relief scheme, which will cap increases in 2017/18 at 12.5% for specific business sectors including hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and offices

Of the 11,000 business rate payers in Aberdeenshire, many have received notice of increases in their rateable values impacting on their business rates, some of which have significant cost implications.

Since that was agreed, council officers have been working to calculate the business rates bills for more than 11,000 business ratepayers across the region. As part of this, they have been applying the criteria under which certain businesses will be eligible for relief under the new local scheme. Rates bills will be dropping through letterboxes later this week with the reliefs already applied. Those eligible ratepayers will not need to do anything to get the relief, as it has been calculated and automatically awarded.

Those ratepayers who fall under the £120,000 threshold will see rate relief of 50% being applied to any increase as a result of the 2017 revaluation and in addition, those ratepayers already entitled to a reduction under either the Small Business Bonus Scheme (at 25%) or entitled to a reduction as a result of their property being empty (at 10%), will also see additional rates relief being provided.

Business rates bills will be issued at the end of the week, allowing business owners to pay the revised rates from May onwards for the 2017/18 financial year.

It is estimated that as many as 1200 businesses will be eligible under the local scheme.

Meanwhile they will also get information enclosed with their bill explaining the Scottish Government Schemes. These are application based, so any businesses who feel they are eligible are encouraged to apply. The detail of those eligible (hospitality sector and offices) is outlined in the information leaflet enclosed with the bills and the application process is also explained.

Both schemes are in place for one year, giving businesses the opportunity to appeal their rateable value.

Further information at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-rates

Country road faces long closure

Owing to essential AWPR works the C13K country road will be closed at Rothnick for 14 weeks commencing Friday 19 May. This is the well-used road between Cammachmore and Lairhillock.

Emergency and vehicular access to affected properties to be maintained from either A90 or B979 Netherley road. Pedestrian access will not be maintained.

Advance signage will be erected on site. There are two diversion routes – one for traffic heading west, and the other for east-bound traffic.

The AWPR communications team will be liaising with all properties, and businesses effected by the closure. Any queries relating to this closure should be directed to community@awprcjv.com

Update on rural issues

North Kincardine Rural Community Council met tonight, covering a wide range of issues. Here are some of the key points.

– Mandi Dorward was co-opted and volunteered to take up the vacant post of secretary.

– There has been one housebreaking in the area, at Maryculter three weeks ago.

– AWPR representatives are being asked to attend the next meeting, on Monday 15 May. Traffic heading south from the B979 Netherley road can now turn right on to the A90 at the flyover without going through Stonehaven. The AWPR is now to open in total rather in sections “during the winter of 2017/18”. They are to start laying tar next month. Seven day working is now under way, but the community council is seeking assurances there will not be any rock crushing on Sundays.

– Lairhillock primary school celebrates its 10th birthday tomorrow with a coffee morning and a party in the afternoon.

– The community council is to object to plans for a house at Cookney.

– The annual plant sale at the Corbie Hall on 20 May is to raise funds for the refurbishment of Maryculter Trinity Church. donations of plants will be accepted the previous evening between 5pm and 6.30pm.

– Aberdeenshire Council is to be asked to make permanent the temporary speed limit on the South Deeside Road at the junction with Milltimber bridge. The current 30mph limit would be preferred however 40mph would be acceptable.

– A resident raised concerns about the hundreds of drivers at the evening peak-time who divert off the A90 northbound to avoid the traffic jams at Bridge of Dee. They use unsuitable country roads now that the AWPR has resulted in the closure their usual route. This is to be taken up with the local authorities.

Changes ahead for local buses

I have been provided with a summary of the bus timetable changes that Stagecoach is going to implement from Monday 8 May,
The company has made a small number of alterations to its plans in response to comments received at their public consultation events and at Aberdeenshire Council’s Area Bus Forums. Council officers had also requested minor changes to contracted journeys to improve connections for passengers.
There are cuts to commercial services across the North East to tailor levels of service with passenger demand, which has been falling over the last two years, to ensure viability whilst improving reliability with more realistic journey/layover times. These affect services on the A947 (Service 35), A96 (Services 10 and 37), A944 (Services X17 and X18) and A90 (south) (Services 7, 7A, 7B and 7C) which is cause for concern.
Here are the changes affecting the Aberdeen – Portlethen/Newtonhill/Stonehaven corridor (the 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, and X7 services):
• Stonehaven – the mainline service will no longer serve areas to the west of the two railway bridges, with buses only serving the Thomson Terrace and Forest Park areas. To compensate for this, the Town service is enhanced as Service 4A/4C above, serving Farrochie and Edinview areas.
• 0718 hours ex Spurryhillock – Barclay Street – Aberdeen (Monday – Friday) is re-instated in response to requests received at the Kincardine and Mearns Area Bus Forum.
• Marywell Park will be served hourly instead of half-hourly.
• Frequency reduced from 15 mins to 20 mins between Aberdeen and Portlethen, but there will be a consistent route with all buses serving Schoolhill, Asda, Portlethen Academy and Berrymuir Road.
• Buses will operate hourly between Aberdeen and Newtonhill, instead of every half-hour.
• Attached is a summary of the proposed number of journeys between the various settlements on the corridor, compared to current provision.

Blow for park and ride plans

A blow to plans for a park and ride just north of Portlethen on the A90 … the Scottish Government has said it is unable to contribute to the cost.
 
The information is contained in a letter from the transport minister to Nestrans, the North East transport partnership, which will be reported to the board on Wednesday. You can read the government letter and report at this link: http://www.nestrans.org.uk/db_docs/Board_Meeting_19_04_2017/8_Info_Bulletin.pdf
 
According to the Evening Express tonight this could scupper plans for the 1000-space park and ride proposals: https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/governments-refusal-of-cash-could-scupper-park-and-ride/

Bowling club success

Good coverage in tonight’s Evening Express for Newtonhill Bowling Club about their success in fund-raising for a new artificial green. They worked hard and pulled together. The new season begins this Sunday afternoon and they would welcome new faces. https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/club-bowled-over-by-new-green-following-huge-fundraising-effort/

UPDATE (16 April) Here is a photograph from one of the first ends to be played on the new artificial surface today. We also heard that two new members have joined the club.