Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

MSP urges Transport Scotland to take action on AWPR pedestrian safety

Post Thumbnail

A north-east MSP has demanded action over the “real alarm” over the impact of the AWPR on users of the Deeside Way.

The walkway, that leads along the north bank of the river from Aberdeen to Ballater, crosses the path of the new bypass.

In 2014 Transport Scotland held a community engagement session in Peterculter village hall regarding the AWPR project and showcased a design of a proposed crossing, which included a footpath promising the community a safe space.

And in 2016 residents of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber rallied together to urge Aberdeen City Council to ensure a planned pedestrian bridge would be built.

Lewis Macdonald

The path has still not been constructed two years later, with Mr Macdonald claiming that the area where it was meant to be built is currently “ploughed up.”

Lewis Macdonald has now written to Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, to raise concerns about how the path’s users will be affected.

He said: “As a result of the new AWPR, a short but critical stretch of the Deeside Way has been removed and users have been diverted along the side of the B979 and then onto the bridge at Milltimber Brae.

“The nature of this diversion has caused real alarm among users to the Deeside Way.”

He told him: “My constituents highlight that this is a very busy road, with no permanent signs approaching the crossing point on the B979 to warn drivers that there could be pedestrians and cyclists crossing ahead.”

The MSP has now urged the Scottish Parliament, and Transport Scotland, to start work on the path.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that there is a commitment to extend the footway on the east side of Milltimber Brae, down to the existing Deeside Way crossing point on the B979 Milltimber Brae.

“This element of work falls outwith the scope of the AWPR/B-T project and is therefore being procured by alternative means.

“We are currently working with the local authority to enable this work to be carried out at the earliest opportunity.

“Once the AWPR/B-T is open to traffic, a significant reduction in traffic volume is expected, making local roads safer and more efficient for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The number of HGVs using the B979 is expected to reduce substantially.”

Lower Deeside councillor Marie Boulton recognised the concerns of local people.

She said: “Not having a timescale is not acceptable and I am continuing to chase a date for the work to be completed.”