Ellon councillor fears improvement delays could cause vehicle damage
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An Ellon councillor has expressed her disappointment that works on Balmacassie Estate have been pushed back to late July.
Councillor Gillian Owen contacted officers at Aberdeenshire Council after noticing that improvement works due to start 'mid-June' were not underway.
She was then informed that the works had been delayed following discussions with Ellon-based business Brewdog, who had plans in place which would require diverting traffic through the estate.
Ms Owen said that the news left her "extremely disappointed".
Explaining, she said: “Having indicated that these improvements were to start mid-June I was really disturbed when June 15 came and went and no contractors were on site.
"I emailed the Officer and was told that this has now been delayed until July 26.
"The officer said ‘We can’t before then because Brewdog is diverting A948 traffic through the Estate roads on three occasions prior to that.’
"This is very disappointing, because the road is in a dire state and in my view the road improvements should have been given the priority.
"I have told Officers in my opinion Brewdog should be made to wait, we should not be diverting traffic through the Estate in its current lamentable state.
"If we had progressed the work the road would have been in a proper state for vehicular access.
"I fear now damage could done to vehicles as some of the craters are quite honestly a disgrace.
“I apologise for giving the incorrect start time and I have asked Officers to provide all tenants with full details as to what is going to happen and when, plus a contact name who they can approach for further information.
"The works will take a minimum of 14 weeks.
"I know this is not the news that many wanted but I look forward to the works starting and seeing the finished result.
"Once again, I thank the tenants for their patience, and hope that all our frustrations will be a thing of the past.”
