Agenda item

With reference to article 18 of the minute of the previous meeting of 25 April 2019, the Committee had before it a joint report by the Chief Officer – Capital and the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which outlined the results of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) based options appraisal undertaken to determine pedestrian and cycle improvements between Marywell and the A956 Wellington Road at Charleston Road and sought approval to develop a detailed design of the preferred improvements for further consideration.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       note the option development and appraisal process carried out to date as detailed in the appendix and background papers;

(b)       approve the preferred route (highlighted in blue on the plan in Appendix A to the report) for a pedestrian/cycle path along the Old Stonehaven Road and the proposed connections to existing infrastructure on Old Wellington Road and Cove Road; and

(c)       instruct the Chief Officer – Capital and Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to undertake detailed design and cost estimates of the Preferred Route and connections, and to report back to this Committee for approval to construct in due course.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved:-

            that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Nicoll, seconded by Councillor Catriona Mackenzie, moved as an amendment:-

            that the Committee:-

(a)     welcome the potential to improve Active Travel in the option development and appraisal process carried out to date as detailed in the appendix and background papers;

(b)     note the preferred route (highlighted blue on the Plan in Appendix A) for a pedestrian / cycle path along the Old Stonehaven Road and the proposed connections to existing infrastructure on Wellington Road and Cove Road; 

(c)     note that where the proposed pedestrian / cycle route joins Wellington Road, the route has previously been identified as having safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists;

(d)     note the high volumes of vehicular traffic using Wellington Road at Cove Road, often travelling on these roads in excess of the 30 miles per hour speed limit and the lack of any pavements at this junction and on Cove Road eastwards from Wellington Road;

(e)     note that this area has previously had problems with unauthorised encampments;

(f)      note that the bridge passing over the burn at Burnside Cottage, Cove Road is presently closed to traffic due to structural issues;

(g)     instruct the Chief Officer - Capital and the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning to undertake detailed design and cost estimates of the preferred routes and connections and in particular to:-

(1) consider appropriate safety measures that can be put in place to enable safe use of the Wellington Road / Cove Road junction by pedestrians and cyclists, including the installation of proper pavements and a segregated cycle path;

(2) consult with the occupants of the appropriate properties in Wellington Road, Old Stonehaven Road and Cove Road as to the proposals and in particular measures to restrict unauthorised encampments to the area, while still allowing access to properties; and

(3)  investigate suitable remedial measures for the bridge at Burnside Cottage and report back to this Committee with detailed design and cost estimates for the preferred route and connections and to report back to this Committee for the requisite approvals; and

(h)     to report back to this Committee for approval to construct in due course.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors, Donnelly, Duncan and Jennifer Stewart; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Delaney, Flynn, Catriona Mackenzie and Nicoll.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.