Stevenson Welcomes Old Deer Bridge Re-Opening

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the re-opening of the railway bridge at Old Deer this weekend.

The access road from the main A950 into Old Deer and Stuartfield had been closed while contractors carry out works on the road bridge which spans the former railway line at Old Deer. Local people became increasingly frustrated at the long detour this involved as the work had slipped from the original 11 week planned closure.

Mr Stevenson wrote to Aberdeenshire Council Chief Executive Colin Mackenzie two weeks ago requesting that contractors carrying out the works be instructed to “redouble their efforts” and complete the works as soon as possible. Head of Roads Philip McKay responding to the MSP confirmed the road would re-open on the weekend of 22/23 January.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“I am very pleased for the residents of Stuartfield and Old Deer who have been inconvenienced by these works for several months now that the bridge is, at last, open to traffic once again.

“I understand that repairs were necessary and had to be carried out. However, even making an allowance for the recent period of inclement weather, the delay in the completion of these works was completely unacceptable.

“This caused extreme inconvenience and frustration to my constituents in that area and disrupted bus routes. In addition, the closure of a number of local minor roads simply added to the feeling of frustration and isolation.

“The council have given me an assurance that the circumstances surrounding the problems encountered at this particular scheme will be reviewed and I hope that lessons will be learned so that no other community has to suffer the same thing.”