Candidates Back Call for New Bridge on A939

Aboyne, Upper Deeside & Donside SNP councillor Geva Blackett has written to Aberdeenshire Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Stephen Archer, requesting that the cost of a functional bridge on the A939 at Gairnshiel is built into the council’s Capital Plan as a matter of urgency to save the Grade 1 listed bridge currently in use.

In her letter, Cllr Blackett says

“Almost exactly five years ago, this beautiful bridge was closed for some weeks to allow extensive – and expensive repairs – to take place and not for the first time. The resulting 40-mile detour caused chaos for motorists and had a severe impact on the fragile economies of Braemar, Ballater, Strathdon and Tomintoul.

Now we find that despite the 18 ton weight limit imposed, even more expensive and extensive repairs are required in the near future and as traffic increases with the Snow Road linking Grantown to Blairgowrie gains in popularity, so too will the need for major repairs as the bridge is no longer fit for purpose”

Cllr Blackett’s letter points out that when the current bridge was built after the 1745 Jacobite uprising to form part of the Military Road, cars, coaches and 38 ton lorries did not exist.

“Imagine for one moment a Chippendale chair” continues Cllr Blackett’s letter “You would not allow the public to continually sit on it and break it; you would say that people can look at it and admire it but if they want to sit down they should use the functional chair placed alongside. The same argument should be applied to this bridge which plays an important part of our built heritage, is of historical importance and could be a tourist attraction with picnic tables and proper parking”

Cllr Blackett’s case for an adjacent bridge is supported by a candidate from Perth & Kinross and by a candidate from Moray, both of whom have written to Aberdeenshire Council.

Alison Mullholland standing for Blairgowrie & the Glens Ward in Perth & Kinross said:

“I understand that historically, repair work necessitated by previous damage, took some weeks to be completed. During which time, the resulting forty mile diversion curtailed the number of tourists travelling along the A93 through Glenshee to Blairgowrie and west to Kirkmichael and beyond.

Therefore I would strongly support consideration of an adjacent replacement bridge, thus facilitating the repair and subsequent preservation of the beautiful and historical Gairnshiel Bridge, whilst allowing all forms of traffic access via the new bridge.”

Angus Anderson standing for Moray’s Speyside Glenlivet ward said:

“The purpose of my writing to you today is to make you fully aware of the significant financial impact businesses in Tomintoul and beyond will suffer should the bridge have to continually close for repairs. One business owner advised me that over one hundred and fifty coaches visit his shop each year and virtually all of them arrive via the A939 from Aberdeenshire.

There is also obviously a preservation and historical concern given the bridge’s age and status and I would urge you to consider that too.

I support Councillor Blackett’s request that a new bridge be factored into the Capital Plan and thus reassure the businesses in Tomintoul and beyond that Aberdeenshire Council is taking a long term and pragmatic approach to the importance of this bridge to the Snow Road route.”

Read more...

Snow Road's All-Year Facebook Information Page to be Launched

Three SNP candidates in the forthcoming council elections have joined forces in what they say will prove advantageous for constituents, businesses and tourists along the new Snow Road route from Blairgowrie, through Upper Donside & Deeside to Grantown-on-Spey.

Cllr Geva Blackett who represents Aberdeenshire Council’s Aboyne, Upper Deeside & Donside ward, Alison Mullholland standing for Perth & Kinross’ Blairgowrie & The Glens Ward and Angus Anderson standing for Moray’s Speyside-Glenlivet ward are launching a Facebook page allowing a wide range of information to be posted to assist local businesses, residents and tourists alike.

Geva Blackett said

“My ward has boundaries with two different councils: Moray to the north and Perth & Kinross to the south. We all know what is happening in our own wards and in the surrounding wards in our own council areas but experience has taught me we don’t always know what is happening in the next council area. If a road is closed or there is an event that will cause delays, this can have a detrimental effect on businesses and cause frustration for motorists. It makes sense for us to work together”

Alison Mullholland, who lives near the A93 going north to Glenshee, said

“I feel it's really important to work collaboratively sharing information; sharing and pooling resources when appropriate. Any issues arising within the national park impacts on all of our 3 Wards but until now there has been no way of letting people know”

Angus Anderson from Dufftown agreed, saying he has been speaking to business owners in Tomintoul:

"They have all been stressing to me the importance of access to the town via the A939. Their economies depend upon it and the proposed initiative was widely welcomed. One local business depends on 150 coach parties each year and it is therefore clear that action to improve communication is needed to safeguard the local economy in Tomintoul".

It is intended that the Facebook page will allow the three council areas to post directly, will carry a link to the snow gate webcam at Braemar and also the ones at Glenshee, will share relevant National Park information and inform people of events such as Highland Games that other council areas may not be aware of.

Read more...