Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson and Troup councillor Ross Cassie have welcomed Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to explore options for funding and replacing the road bridges in the King Edward area which were washed away in September 2019.
Roads officials had recommended to councillors on the Infrastructure Services Committee that the bridges not be replaced, but this recommendation was pulled just prior to the start of yesterday’s meeting.
Commenting on the decision, Stewart Stevenson MSP said
I welcome this change of heart on the part of the council to not take a formal decision to close the affected roads and leave the bridges unbuilt.
I wrote to Aberdeenshire Council in the days after the flood event last September offering to support any applications they may make for support from the Scottish Government and I will be reiterating that offer again following this decision.
Local councillor Ross Cassie added
This decision is a testament to the strength of feeling within the local communities affected and the representations made by myself and others.
Going forward, this is the start of a process and we need to work to maintain the connectivity of the area so it doesn’t impact on school catchments, emergency and other services.
