Aberdeenshire Council

A major project to protect a town and its access road from a landslip has been completed ahead of schedule.
Work has been taking place at Crovie, on Aberdeenshire’s north coast, for the last ten weeks.
The road had been expected to reopen in the middle of November, but will reopen at 1pm today (Friday, October 19).
... The drone image below gives an overview of the completed project, and there are a couple of extra shots of the work taking place.
The landslip has been worsening since 2009. The Council took the precautionary approach to close the road to vehicles in September 2017, meaning access was only possible on foot.
Around £500,000 has been spent on the project which has included the installation of soil nails and mesh across the slope to help prevent any further movement.
Additional drainage has been built into the slope and the road, to help protect homes and the access road, which has also been fully reconstructed to repair earlier damage caused by the slip.
Councillors who allocated funding for the work had heard that if action was not taken there was significant risk of increased cost to deal with a larger slippage in future and the potential for substantial damage to properties.
Five hundred square metres of mesh has been installed over the face of the slope, attached to 172 soil nails driven into the ground. Hollow drainage kerbs have also been installed on the road.
For more information, see: http://bit.ly/2NRpdts
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Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) infrastructure will be installed at quarries run by Aberdeenshire Council to significantly reduce their carbon emissions.
Balmedie, Craiglash (pictured) and Pitcaple quarries provide material for local road construction and maintenance, as well as supplying the private sector.
Every year the quarries sell around 210,000 tonnes of material, worth around £7 million, of which bituminous material accounts for around 90,000 tonnes.
... This material is dried using dual fuel burners, capable of using both kerosene and LPG.
Members of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC) heard LPG produces far less carbon emissions and agreed the switch in fuels, as well as a contract for supply over five years.
Councillors heard that while financial savings from the switch will be minimal under the £1.5million contract, it will mean a reduction in carbon emissions of around 250 tonnes a year, or 13%.
Engineers put the proposal together with Climate Change Team colleagues and it is part of the authority’s carbon budget – Aberdeenshire Council was the first local authority in Scotland to set one alongside its revenue, housing and capital budgets in 2017.
For more information, see: http://bit.ly/2NODDua
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Did you know our Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead is 125 years old? Pupils from Central School in the town took part in a puppet parade walk last week to mark the anniversary and then enjoy some special birthday celebrations.
Councillor Anne Stirling joined the children to cut the cake and congratulate the children on the wonderful work they've done to create the large puppets with help from Puppet Animation Scotland. The children’s large puppet whale and polar bear reference the area’s internationally-celebrated sea shanties, and the traditional songs and music which have inspired many of the popular musicians we know today.
The pupils also got the chance to learn about the special anniversary exhibition which is ongoing at the museum at the moment. Special helpers joined them in Victorian-themed dress. Creative Aberdeenshire

Turriff Music Fest will take place at the Baden Powell Centre in the town on Saturday 10 November as part of Aberdeenshire Council’s exciting Year of Young People #YOYP2018 programme. The event will showcase a number of local bands – line-up to be announced shortly – and is a great opportunity for young people from across the local area to get together and celebrate local youth music talent.
The event will take place from 5pm to 9pm and is free for all to enjoy. There's no need to book: just turn up! @wwypaberdeenshire
You can find out more about events taking place as part of #YOYP2018 at http://www.girfec-aberdeenshire.org/…/a berdeenshire-year-o…/

Another great opportunity for young people from across Aberdeenshire to enjoy youth music talent!

Rural roads are currently being improved across Deeside and Donside, partly paid for using a national fund made available for work on routes used by timber lorries.
Eight roads across the Marr area are benefiting from a project which aims to create sustainable routes for current and future timber traffic operations.
This is being done by strengthening carriageways and road edges, creating passing places and improving bends and drainage, with all work to be completed by Februa...ry.
As well as increasing the capacity of the road network to carry timber transport vehicles, the tougher infrastructure also reduces maintenance and repair requirements due to slowed deterioration.
Aberdeenshire Council is combining its own roads improvement and maintenance budget for the area with funds from Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS).
Marr roads engineers made a successful application to its Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS), proposing various improvements to the capacity of the road network.
An FCS panel recognised the considerable volumes of timber moving on local roads and the impact this can have on other road users in rural communities.
It agreed to contribute to the improvements - 50% of the cost for eligible A-class roads and 70% for all other roads.
In total, around £1.5million will be spent - £630,517 from Aberdeenshire Council budgets and the remainder from FCS, up to a total of £944,827.
Eight A, B and C-class roads are being targeted, all within the Grampian Timber Transport Group area, covering two significant forestry catchment areas in Deeside and Donside.
Pictured below are some of the routes in question. Principal Roads Engineer Angela Funk is pictured with Chairman of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee and local councillor, Peter Argyle at one of the improvement sites.
For more information, please see: http://bit.ly/2OMdukx
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An innovative initiative by Aberdeenshire Council to put town centres at the heart of decision making has received a prestigious national award.
The authority’s Economic Development team took the Silver Scottish Government Excellence Award at the COSLA Excellence Awards 2018 for its Town Centre First Principle.
Aberdeenshire Council is the first in the UK to adopt the Town Centre First Framework across all services, embedding the principle into all decision making processes..., policy and area plans.
For more information, please see: http://bit.ly/2Cc3utY
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The latest Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2021 Newsletter is now available, outlining progress towards the latest planning blueprint for the area.
See the latest edition, which includes information on the current consultation on the Proposed Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan, here: http://bit.ly/2NxRkxH

Can you guess where this is? If you take part in the treasure trails you will witness these picturesque views for yourself. Treasure trail maps are available at libraries in six Aberdeenshire towns. Each trail contains six clues which are solved by walking the route. Once they have been unravelled, a six digit number will be revealed on the map. Take the map to the library to collect a prize. Prizes include a limited edition pin badge complete with a logo depicting a vista of each town plus a stylish tote bag. Once all six treasure trails have been completed a mystery location will be revealed. For more information visit bit.ly/2NcK1ff

There's still time to enjoy the #AcrossTheGrainFestival with a number of events this weekend.
See the debut of a short film ‘From Mountain to Sea’ inspired by the local landscape, culture and produce, and completed during the festival. This will be screened at the old fish market in Peterhead from 4-6pm tomorrow (October 13) where you can join the fun in a very unique festival venue. Film-maker Graeme Roger and composer Dave Martin were commissioned to create the film as part of an artists-in-residence project and the final edit includes input from special guests The Mearns Writers. This event is free and open to all.
Visit http://bit.ly/ATGprogramme for the full programme of events #localtalent Creative Aberdeenshire Creative Scotland

The content for the proposed next Strategic Development Plan (SDP), which sets out the vision for long-term planning development in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, has been agreed by both councils.
A consultation on the proposed plan is now available for local communities and interested parties to have their say on the content too.
Strategic development plans address important land use issues that cross local authority boundaries or involve strategic infrastructure, local develop...ment plans, and supplementary guidance.
The 10-week public consultation on the proposed plan and its supporting documents runs until December 17, and the plan is available to view now at: http://bit.ly/2Ifut8O
It can also be viewed at any public library or Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council planning offices.
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What a way to mark the last day of term. HRH Camilla Duchess of Rothesay was at Crathie Primary this morning, to see for herself all the work they have been doing towards a John Muir Award. A huge pat on the back to all of the pupils who showed her round, explained their projects, performed, and did an all-round great job.

Our Education and Children's Services Committee agreed a number of papers relating to the school estate and parental engagement this week, focused on learning together to achieve the best educational outcomes for children across Aberdeenshire.
Read the full news release online at http://bit.ly/2OmIOa4 #OneAberdeenshire

Work to tackle the landslip at Crovie in north Aberdeenshire is progressing well and is entering its final phase.
This weekend will see road resurfacing and other finishing elements of the work take place and that will mean restricted pedestrian access for up to six days, depending on the impact of Storm Callum.
The path between the village car park and the top of the access steps is not expected to be accessible in the interest of safety from today (Friday, October 11) unt...il Thursday, October 18.
The path will however remain open if work is unable to take place due to weather conditions.
There is an alternative walking route, but a 24-hour on call service is also in place for anyone needing assistance with access.
Access to Crovie on foot will be via the Mink Howe Road and down the middle access road. (see picture below)
All vehicles are requested to continue using the informal car park at the top of the Mink Howe Road and not to park down the middle access road as this area is required for emergency vehicle access only.
To access the shuttle service from the top car park to the bottom of the village, call 07379 137686 between 8am and 6pm. To use the service outwith these times, please give as much notice as possible.
The quad bike and trailer service is still in place for anyone needing assistance shifting bulky items from the top to the bottom of Crovie, or vice versa.
Contact Darren or Billy Wiseman with a minimum of 24-hours notice on 07900 848716 (Darren) or 01261 851695 (Billy).
It is hoped the road can reopen to traffic late next week.
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Do you live in or near Westhill? There are sustainable travel events taking place from 10am to 4pm tomorrow and Friday, October 12. The sessions are in the Arnhall Business Park. There will be electric cars on display, cycling demonstrations, personal travel planning. We would like to thank our partners Nestrans, Aberdeen City Council Civitas Portis, Gillanders car dealership in Peterhead, Home Energy Scotland / Energy Saving Trust and Systra.

As the Across the Grain festival of Doric and traditional music continues across Aberdeenshire, we’d like to highlight a number of great opportunities to sample local talent this weekend, including North East singer, song-writer and broadcaster Frieda Morrison in concert at the Acorn Centre in Inverurie.
Frieda draws her style and influence from the land that provides the words for many of her songs. Performing alongside Steve Ransome and Fraser Fifield, she provides a rich ...tapestry of musical melodies and warm lyrical stories. The concert will run from 7.30pm to 9pm on Saturday (October 13) and tickets are available from just £8 at www.eventbrite.co.uk and the Acorn Centre, Inverurie (call 01467 670850).
For those who are keen to see the debut of a short film ‘From Mountain to Sea’ inspired by the local landscape, culture and produce, and completed during the festival, head along to the old fish market in Peterhead from 4-6pm on Saturday (October 13) and join the fun in a very unique festival venue. Film-maker Graeme Roger and composer Dave Martin were commissioned to create the film as part of an artists-in-residence project and the final edit includes input from special guests The Mearns Writers. This event is free and open to all.
Gaelic language and music will be showcased along with Scots and Doric in a Mountain Melodies concert at St Margaret’s in Braemar on Friday at 7.30pm featuring award-winning Scottish traditional band, Barluath. At Stonehaven Community Centre on Friday at 8.30pm, Robyn Stapleton (Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of 2014) will also be singing in Gaelic as well as English, having been described as having one of the finest voices in Scottish music.
Visit http://bit.ly/ATGprogramme for the full programme of events and http://bit.ly/acrossthegrain for more information about the festival. Creative Aberdeenshire Creative Scotland #acrossthegrainfestival #localtalent
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Alford Community Campus welcomed Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay to a harvest festival involving all 13 primary schools within the Alford Academy catchment area today.
The royal guest chatted with pupils as they showed her the art, craft and food presentations they have busily been preparing over the past few weeks.
The Duchess also joined a ceremony hosted by Deputy Provost of Aberdeenshire Cllr Ron McKail in the school’s theatre, where a harvest medley was perfor...med by the Alford Academy choir, folk band and dancers.
The school’s pipe band began to play as the special guest left the school, with nursery pupils looking on. Here’s a selection of photos from the day.
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Do you live in or near Westhill? There are sustainable travel events taking place from 10am to 4pm tomorrow and Friday, October 12. The sessions are in the Arnhall Business Park. There will be electric cars on display, cycling demonstrations, personal travel planning. We would like to thank our partners Nestrans, Aberdeen City Council Civitas Portis, Gillanders car dealership in Peterhead, Home Energy Scotland / Energy Saving Trust and Systra.