Last call for council’s broadband postcards

Local councillors have united to urge Kincardine and Mearns residents to take part in an Aberdeenshire Council broadband survey. 

Liberal Democrats Peter Bellarby and Ian Mollison made the call after thousand of postcards were delivered by Royal Mail throughout the shire. 

Cllr Bellarby said: “The aim is to test demand for improved broadband services throughout Aberdeenshire. To take advantage of Scottish Government support the council must provide evidence of demand from residents and businesses. The completed postcards will be crucial.” 

Cllr Mollison added: “Although Aberdeenshire Council has already agreed to invest £18 million in broadband in the area, the Scottish Government has a key role to play in ensuring that the North East is at the forefront of 21st century communications. We need everyone’s help.” 

Although the deadline is 28 February, there will still be time for late submissions. Cllr Mollison explained: “There was a problem with the deliveries in the rural part of my North Kincardine ward. This took time to overcome and as a result the council is not being strict about the deadline.”
 
New postcards can be collected from the council offices such as the area office in Stonehaven or from local libraries. Alternatively email your name and address to econdev@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

Community council still appealing for members

A fresh appeal for people to join Newtonhill’s community councillors was made this week after too few people came forward to fill all the vacancies.
 
Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council heard last week that two residents – Frank Caie and Eric Hargreaves – had been successfully nominated to represent Cammachmore for the next three years.
 
However, only Michael Morgan was put forward to serve another three-year term representing Newtonhill, leaving four vacancies. A new appeal has been made for volunteers to be co-opted to serve for a year.
 
Returning officer Councillor Ian Mollison told the meeting it was disappointing that there had not been a greater response. “I understand that two villagers are considering putting their names forward. This will be good news, and I hope that others will step forward too so that the views of the village can be heard.”
 
Community council treasurer Bruce Anderson announced at the meeting that with regret he would be standing down at the annual general meeting on 20 March.

Slow progress over A90 danger verge

Transport Scotland is taking action to stop drivers churning up the roadside verge on the A90 at Newtonhill.
 
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Mollison explains: “I have been approached by a number of constituents over the verge on the dual carriageway beside the Tesco store. The community council also asked me to raise the issue with Transport Scotland.
 
“We suspect lorries and other vehicles have been pulling in at the bus lay-by but parking on the grass verge. Whether this is for safety reasons, bad driving, or extra wide vehicles, who can say. But the outcome is that the vehicles have churned up the verge on the southbound carriageway. The suspicion is that drivers have gone into the nearby Tesco. They cannot spend an extra minute driving off the dual carriageway and parking in the store’s car park.
 
“The result is a mess. The grass is unsightly. It looks as if it has been ploughed – badly. But was well as looking unsightly, there is a more serious concern. If the bus overshoots the stop slightly then passengers could have to alight into several inches of uneven and squelchy mud.
 
“Transport Scotland chief executive David Middleton tells me that ‘unfortunately there are few physical measures which are effective in discouraging motorists from parking at such locations.'”
 
Mr Middleton had however a glimmer of hope. He told Cllr Mollison: “As there is a clearway order in place on this section of road, it is a road traffic offence to park on the trunk road. Our operating company BEAR Scotland Ltd has notified the police of this issue and requested that the site is monitored for any further occurrence, with enforcement carried out where appropriate.
 
“BEAR Scotland will continue to monitor the site during weekly inspections and carry out repairs as necessary.”
 
Cllr Mollison added: “I am glad that some progress is being made.”

Community council appeals for members

Newtonhill’s community council has launched an appeal for new members. Five volunteers are needed from the village to bring the numbers up to full strength.
 
The Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council also has two vacancies in Cammachmore.
 
The returning officer is former community council chairman Councillor Ian Mollison. “Leaflets have been distributed round the area, an advert has appeared in the Mearns Leader, and posters have been put up, all in an effort to encourage new blood to come forward and join the existing members.
 
“The community council plays a vital role in shaping the future of the area, and influences the decisions being made by the local authority and other official bodies. There’s a strong link with the police, for example.
 
“The meetings are held on one evening a month, usually in the primary school, so the commitment is not overwhelming. However it is important that there is a full complement of members so that there can be a good cross-section of opinion when discussing issues such as planning applications. With the Chapelton of Elsick development imminent, it is key that there is a strong voice monitoring the plans.
 
“The closing date for applications is Wednesday 20 February, and anyone interested should get in touch with me at cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.”

Improvements ruled out at accident blackspot

Transport Scotland has ruled out any improvements on the A90 at the Portlethen flyover, which has seen a number of crashes in recent weeks.
 
Chief executive David Middleton has told local councillor Ian Mollison that “an initial assessment of this section of the A90 suggests that its accident rate is consistent with the average for all trunk roads.”
 
Mr Middleton continued: “The lining on the slip road and the main carriageway at Portlethen were renewed in December 2012, but it is unlikely that any significant changes to the junction will be made in the near future.”
 
Councillor Mollison commented: “I had been approached by a number of residents who were concerned that crashes were happening regularly on that stretch of road. Thankfully there have been no fatalities, but it is always a possibility. Injuries can be life changing, so every step must be taken to make the roads as safe as possible.
 
“The crashes also cause traffic jams stretching for miles, delaying everyone and causing people to miss appointments, be late for work, and miss connections.
 
“One resident had raised the question of lowering the speed limit on a part-time basis. Mr Middleton has ruled that out. He said that Transport Scotland had recently completed a review of speed limits on A class tdrunk roads. With regard to Portlethen, the review concluded that the existing national speed limit was suitable for this section of the A90.
 
“Mr Middleton also said that Transport Scotland has to ensure that the limited funding available can be targeted at those areas that provide the greatest accident casualty savings.”

Reassurance over Newtonhill landslip

Warning signs have been put up in Newtonhill following a landslip into the valley of the Elsick Burn. However it is believed there is no immediate risk to nearby housing.
 
Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Mollison, who lives in the village, said: “I saw the landslip just after the heavy rains during the festive break. I contacted council officials as it is one of the biggest land slides I have seen in the valley. Over the years areas have slid down to the burn, but this was of a different magnitude.
 
“What concerned me was that just above the landslip are houses in Tern Court and Turnstone Court. However I have been reassured that although it was a substantial landslip there is no need to be alarmed.
 
“I have been advised by council officials that there is no immediate risk. The council has had specialist technical experts look at the landslip and will keep monitoring it. The initial inspection confirmed that the slope was not moving at the time but they will keep an eye on it before deciding if any further action is required.”
 
Meanwhile the warning signs saying “Danger landslip” have been put up at two locations near the houses as a precaution in case anyone tries to access the area.

Warning over internet scam

Kincardineshire people were warned this week to beware of a well-known internet scam which has been revived. Hackers break into email accounts to send a bogus appeal for money.

North Kincardine Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Mollison said: “I am aware of three attempts in the past week. In one version the message says the sender is stranded in Manila in the Philippines as muggers had stolen his mobile phone and credit cards, clearing out the account. In another version the passport is also stolen. The common theme is to ask for money to be sent straight away.

“The first time I received the email I was nearly taken in. The appeal was supposedly coming from someone who lives in Portlethen. It is well written and is not littered with the mistakes and nonsense there used to be in the scam emails everyone received from West Africa. And these days it is quite feasible for Scots to be holidaying in the Far East.

“The second email I received had exactly the same wording, and came from a colleague who lives in Insch. I knew for sure he wasn’t in the Philippines!

“The other version said that Limassol in Cyprus was the scene of the mugging. Some people have been fooled by the messages. The scam is very convincing.”

Findon housing plan turned down

A plan for seven houses in Findon has been turned down by councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee. 

Full planning permission was being sought for the houses in the grounds of a now-demolished 1950s bungalow called Ceolmara on Findon Road. The site is on the western edge of the coastal village, with closely-planted trees, including some which are subject to a tree preservation order. 

The application attracted strong opposition from many residents in the village. Among the objections were comments that the removal of the trees – mainly sycamore – would change the character of the village. Other comments were based on overdevelopment, inadequate road access, and the fact that the new access road would impinge on to the Green Belt. 

A similar application was refused in 2009, and another application in 2010 for seven houses was subsequently withdrawn. 

Councillors voted by six to four to refuse. North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison said: “Planning officers recommended approval though they conceded it contravened the Green Belt policy by building on agricultural land. The case was finely balanced, but in the end I was not convinced this plan should be approved.”

New fence to stop stray footballs

A new extra high fence has been erected at Newtonhill’s football pitch to stop balls straying on to the nearby road and local gardens.

Local councillor Ian Mollison welcomed the work. “The new fence is all-metal bar an extra six feet of netting above the goal area. It replaces a lower one which had done good service but had seen better days.

“Over the years I have received complaints from drivers on Park Place and from nearby residents when footballs flew over the old fence and bounced on to the road and into gardens. On the odd occasion a ball hit windows. Some local people were concerned for their safety while a match was taking place.

“The pitch is used regularly by the Newtonhill and Cammachmore football teams, and by the public. Aberdeenshire Council’s investment here will be welcomed by residents and footballers alike.”

Talking stock of the festive storm damage

The scale of local damage from the heavy rainfall during the festive period shocked community councillors in Newtonhill when they were told the details at their last meeting. 

Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council heard of damage to properties throughout the area. 

In Newtonhill, one house was devastated after the Elsick burn ran through the lower floors, washed away paths, undermined garage foundations, and knocked over walls. The owner has had to move out until major repairs are carried out. 

Two bridges at Newtonhill beach have been affected with the supports being eroded by the volume of water from the Elsick Burn. One bridge is no longer in place. 

Power and water supplies to houses were interrupted as the burn became so swollen that it burst its banks in various places. Parts of the valley slopes became unstable, causing landslides. 

A right of way from Newtonhill to Cammachmore going past the Mill of Elsick has been closed by Aberdeenshire Council after the burn swept aside walls and scoured out the path. 

A number of homes at West Cammachmore were badly affected when a water course burst its banks and flooded properties, with two properties being devastated. A wall was also destroyed by the water. 

Footbridges between Newtonhill and Muchalls over the Pheppie Burn were washed away. 

The path from Muchalls to the beach was closed after landslides. 

Councillor Alison Evison, Councillor Ian Mollison, and Councillor Carl Nelson – who all represent the area – were at the meeting to hear what happened. All three had each visited different scenes of the damage.  

Councillor Mollison told the meeting: “I have not known anything like this in the 40 years I have lived here.”