The latest newsletter from North East Sensory Services (also known as NESS) carries the thank-you shown below.

NESS has now re-opened its resource centres in Aberdeen, Dundee and Elgin, with a new hub in Friockheim in Angus too. For more information about the charity’s work helping blind and deaf people visit nesensoryservices.org.

In Aberdeenshire in the past week one person has died linked to covid-19. The cumulative toll is 213.

Also in the last week 852 more cases were recorded (down from 1002) the previous week, 1655 people received a jag, and 9599 people were tested, with 9.2% positive (9.3% the previous week).

In the past seven days, 21 cases were recorded in the Netherley / Fetteresso / Catterline area, 32 in the Banchory-Devenick / Findon area, 21 in Portlethen, and nine in Newtonhill.

The seven day positive rate per 100,000 people was 326.7, according to Public Health Scotland.

There are 76 patients in NHS Grampian hospitals related to covid-19, with 11 in intensive care, as at 21 October.

Locally, free lateral flow home test kits will be available from Portlethen Swimming Pool (collect only) from 10am to noon on Monday 25 October.

The lack of daytime buses from Newtonhill village to Stonehaven has been causing problems for some older residents who find the X7 express coaches from the Park & Choose unsuitable.

Some take a taxi or ask friends and family for a lift, while others simply no longer go to the town. As a result social links are being severed and visits to the dentist or suchlike are becoming a trial. Appointments might be missed.

For those unfamiliar with the bus services, the problem is that the 7B buses which used to go to Stonehaven now head up to Chapelton before returning to Aberdeen. Yes, two 7B services head to Stonehaven in the early morning, and there are buses running in the evenings from teatime, but that isn’t much help during the day.

The issue was aired at Wednesday’s meeting of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council.

They are going to contact Stagecoach to ask that the reinstate some services.

However today I learned from Aberdeenshire Council that Stagecoach is not in a position to introduce additional journeys while in receipt of covid-19 support grant from the Scottish Government. This grant has helped keep some bus companies afloat financially during this difficult time and without it there would be cuts to the commercial network.

At some point life will have to return to normal, the support grants will end, and no doubt the bus timetables will be revised. That will be the opportunity for Stagecoach to link Newtonhill with the county town once again.

Aberdeenshire Council officers have agreed to raise these points with Stagecoach. The council has no direct control over any decision taken in that regard, though the council does support two early morning Saturday journeys on the corridor which otherwise would not run.

Anyone with views on the issue should contact Stagecoach by phoning 0345 810 1000 or emailing bluebird.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com

UPDATE, 29 October 2021: There has been no response yet from Stagecoach.

The extent of a road closure in Banchory Devenick has been revised which should lessen its impact. I posted about this closure on 15 October.

A company called Contraflow will be carrying out footway works on behalf of Scottish Water on the C34K Causeymouth at Hilldowntree House. This means the road will be closed on Monday 6 December from 9am to 4pm, as shown on the updated map.

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic and the alternate route.

The council’s Roads Service says emergency and pedestrian access to be maintained. Vehicular access to affected properties to be maintained whenever possible.

Busy times tonight at the monthly meeting of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council. Eleven residents ventured out to the Skateraw Hall on a horrible night, plus two of us councillors. Here’s a brief recap on key issues:

DRUGS – The meeting heard from the police that a search warrant for cannabis was executed in Newtonhill last month.

BANNERS – A lengthy statement from Transport Scotland and Police Scotland was read to the meeting addressing concerns about demonstrations on flyovers, including the Newtonhill one over the A92 trunk road. In essence, BEAR Scotland and the police will act on complaints about banners being fixed to the flyovers or flying from them as they have the potential to distract drivers or obstruct the carriageway.

VILLAGE ENTRANCES – Muchalls residents are not keen to have a rock with the entrance bearing the village’s name. A bid for funding from the Meikle Carewe wind farm community fund for a village name rock in Newtonhill will be considered on 28 October.

POTHOLES – Much frustration was expressed over the lack of progress in repairing potholes in the villages. Aberdeenshire Council is still seeking a contractor to carry out the work.

TENNIS COURTS – Sources of funding are being sought to upgrade the courts in Newtonhill.

TRAVEL SURVEY – The community council has submitted a response to transport partnership Nestrans which is has been carrying out a survey on the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk corridor. It was a balanced submission, according to vice-chair Alison Daniels, covering issues including pedestrian use of the A92 underpass between Newtonhill and Cammachmore, cycling routes, bus services and the pros and cons of reopening Newtonhill station.

SKATERAW HALL – There was a welcome for a £8000 grant from Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee to close the purchase of the hall from private owners. The entry date should be 17 December.

MUCHALLS BEACH – An application to Aberdeenshire Council’s Coastal Communities Challenge Fund is being considered towards the cost of restoring the path to Muchalls Beach.

WEEDS – The pavement south from Cammachmore is covered with weeds. Aberdeenshire Council is to be asked to take action.

BUSES – Stagecoach is to be contacted about the lack of daytime 7B services from Skateraw Road in Newtonhill to Stonehaven. Concerns will also be relayed about drop-off points in Aberdeen city centre.

STREET LIGHTS – A lamp-post has been missing for four years in Dunnyfell Road, Muchalls.

INTERESTED? – The next meeting will be held on 17 November, from 7.30pm

The 2021/22 Community Active Travel Grants fund from the Scottish charity Paths for All is now open for applications.

To be eligible, a project must demonstrate how it will increase people’s knowledge about sustainable transport choices available to them. Funding can be used to:
• Promote and signpost active travel routes
• Improve and develop routes that will make it easier to walk, wheel and cycle when making short everyday journeys
• Maintain active travel routes and ensure that they are accessible.

Grants of up to £3000 are available to eligible projects. The closing date is Sunday 7 November. More information on the website: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/resources/resource/Community-Paths-Active-Travel-Grants-Scheme-Guidance-Notes?

Aberdeenshire Council Roads Service will be carrying out road patching works on the U65K country road (see map) in Banchory Devenick between the junction with the C34K at Woodland Cottage and the U59K at Kintore Cottage.

This means the road will be closed for five days from Monday 1 November.

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic and the alternative route via U60K – C34K and vice versa.

Vehicular access to affected properties to be maintained whenever possible.

Tonight local councillors were invited to the monthly on-line meeting of North Kincardine Rural Community Council.

POLICING – We started with a report from Police Scotland on crimes and incidents in Kincardine and Mearns during last month. I posted the report the other day. PC Marc Camus emphasised the need for securing your property including your home and bikes (register it and etch an identifier). He also gave a reminder about the need for lights on cycles in the hours of darkness.

BROADBAND – We heard that fibre is being installed on behalf of Openreach around Cookney and Netherley.

WINTER – Community councillors heard advice that residents should prepare for winter and be self-reliant.

PLANNING – The meeting was updated on various planning applications including refusal by Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee for five houses and a garden centre (in principle) at the site of the Old Mill Inn at Maryculter. The applicant can appeal or submit an amended application should they wish to pursue this. Chair Henry Irvine-Fortescue put forward comments on behalf of the community council.

REMEMBRANCE – The plaque at Banchory Devenick and the memorials at Cookney and Kirkton of Maryculter have been cleaned by volunteers including community councillors. Three wreaths will be be laid on Sunday 14 November on behalf of the community council. Wreaths will also be laid on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council by Councillor Evison (Cookney), Councillor Pike (Maryculter) and me (Banchory Devenick).

WANT MORE? – The next meeting is on 15 November. For minutes, planning applications etc, visit the website at www.nkrcc.org.uk

Please beware of mud on the C24K road Newtonhill to Cookney road at Chapelton especially if you are a cyclist or ride a motorbike.

It has been caused by construction traffic accessing the Chapelton site at a tight corner near to the entrance to the Duke’s Walk.

The Chapelton developers and the police have assured me they will give this due attention. I’m told it will be dealt with within 24 hours.

One cyclist told me this is potential death-trap as the road is “incredibly slippery”.

UPDATE 21 OCTOBER:

Yesterday they scraped the road clean as best as they could and put up signs advising mud on the road.

I am told that today they have a road brush in for two hours to clean the road and are getting a brush for the forklift so they can clean as required without the need to try and source an external brush. In addition, they are going to tar the 10 metres of the track leading to the public road next week which should help to keep the road clean.

Here is early warning of a road closure in Banchory Devenick. A company called Contraflow will be carrying out footway works on behalf of Scottish Water on the C34K Causeymouth at Hilldowntree House. This means the road will be closed from Tollohill Farm to Brodie Wood on Monday 6 December from 9am to 4pm.

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic and the alternative route (see map).

The council’s Roads Service says emergency and pedestrian access to be maintained. Vehicular access to affected properties to be maintained whenever possible.