MSP Pays Tribute to Campaigner after Seatbelts Bill Passed

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has paid tribute to a constituent who worked tirelessly to improve school bus safety.

It comes after the Scottish Parliament passed the final stage of the Seatbelts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood.

The Bill had been brought forward by Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin.

For years, Gardenstown resident Ron Beaty worked hard to campaign on school bus safety after his granddaughter was knocked over by a vehicle after getting off a school bus.

Mr Beaty, who sadly passed away before the Bill reached its final stage yesterday, had been a staunch advocate of safety on school transport following the incident.

He worked closely alongside Mr Stevenson on the issue for many years.

Mr Stevenson said he was a “ferocious champion of improving safety” in the school transport system.

The Bill will make it compulsory for all dedicated school transport to be fitted with seatbelts.

Councils across Scotland provide dedicated school transport to pupils who live over certain distances from school in line with their statutory responsibilities and this is often in the form of buses or coaches.

There are currently already 24 local authorities in Scotland which stipulate seat belts must be worn including Aberdeenshire Council.

The completion of Stage three of the Bill intends to make this good practice universal as a matter of law.

It will afford more pupils the well-established safety benefit which seat belts can bring in the event of a road accident.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“I am delighted the Bill to ensure seatbelts are on all dedicated home to school transport has been passed.

“I would like to pay tribute to Ron. While he wasn’t here to witness it, I have no doubt that his efforts for many years made an invaluable contribution.

“Ron is an example to us all and I am sure his family are very proud.

“I would also like to commend my colleague Gillian Martin MSP and the civil servants who worked very hard over the past 18 months on this Bill.”

Local MSP Welcomes Portessie Post Office Announcement

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed confirmation from the Post Office that a service will be reintroduced to Portessie with effect from Tuesday 28 November.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“The Network Operations Manager has written to me confirming that a Post Office outreach service will commence in Portessie Public Hall weekly on a Tuesday afternoon with effect from 28 November.

“Customers will be able to access the same range of services as previously but will now also be able to pay for their Road Tax, which I’m sure will be a welcome facility.

“While the new service will only operate on Tuesday afternoons between 1.00pm and 3.00pm, I am pleased that this important local service has been restored to Portessie. If it proves successful and there is a demand, I’m sure that the Post Office will be willing to listen to the community should it wish to see the service level expanded.”

Summer 2018 Opening Target as ALDI Start Work in Peterhead

Peterhead’s SNP councillors Anne Allan and Stephen Smith, and local MSP Stewart Stevenson, have welcomed the long-awaited start to work at the Kirkburn site by Aldi.

Concerns from local residents over the apparent lack of any visible progress in developing the former Kirkburn Mills site in Peterhead prompted local SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson to contact Aldi Stores earlier this year.

ALDI secured planning permission to build a store on the site but, to date, this prominent piece of land on the approach to Peterhead Town Centre remains undeveloped.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“I am very pleased that work has now started on the site. It’s very clear that the local community not only wish to see the site developed, but also actively want to have Aldi in Peterhead so today’s news is extremely welcome.

“I look forward to further progress and the creation of jobs as we approach the summer 2018 target opening date.”

Peterhead North & Rattray SNP councillor Anne Allan said:

“I’m grateful to Stewart Stevenson for keeping the pressure on Aldi. With the council having granted planning consent, I think everyone in the town is keen to see progress made and the site developed.”

Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith added:

“This is good news indeed and will finally deal with the eyesore that has been left for too long.

“Local residents should be able to see both Aldi contractors and Scottish Power working on the substation, the fencing and hoarding should be going up over the next few weeks along with the arrival of the site cabins. The appointed demolitions company will then set up to begin working on the tenements as soon as all equipment is on site.”