Where is the AWPR? Time for action

Having written to Transport Scotland some time ago asking for a clear timetable of completion of this well overdue project I felt it was time for an update on the situation and more pressure to be placed onto Transport Scotland.

Back in October 2010 I received a response, and was given a full break down of the situation at the time.

Public Notices weere published on Friday 26 March 2010 to inform the public that Parliament had approved the relevant Schemes and Trunk Road Orders and that all remaining Orders had also been made. However in May 2010 legal challenges were submitted to the Court of Session challenging the decision by Scottish Ministers to proceed with the Scheme. Nevertheless I was advised that construction was to start in 2011.

Well we are now in 2011 and I have yet to see a digger start creating the foundations so I asked for an update.

I was informed that assuming a successful outcome to the legal challenges, Transport Scotland would need to carry out a thorough review of the remaining stages of the project, including procurement, before issuing a definitive timetable to construction.

I know from my previous research into the matter that until the AWPR is built the Haudagain roundabout will not be touched.

I feel that this saga has gone on for too long.  I will be that strong voice needed within the council to champion the need of the AWPR and Haudagain roundabout improvements for the City and beyond.

My stance on Union Terrace Gardens

Just a short post from me this morning about yesterday ‘emergency’ council meeting discussing Union Terrace Gardens.

For the many of you that know me the one thing I hate more than anything about politics is the cheap jibes at one another in order to score political points. I can’t help but feel that yesterday’s ‘emergency’ council meeting was one such attempt in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary Elections on May 5th.

Why do I feel this?  I do so for two reasons, firstly the motion did not attack the council for its decision for Union Terrace Gardens but a member of council staff and a report that they had written. Secondly, the plans for Union Terrace Gardens have not come to light and I very much look forward to the proposed designs being brought forward by architects from around the world in a competition this summer.

I take the same stance as Cllr Ian Yuill, “I believe Union Terrace Gardens needs to be improved, not obliterated…”. I have every confidence in all councillors of all sides, to ensure that Union Terrence Gardens is not turned into a ‘concrete car park’. I think Labour received this message loud and clear yesterday with councillors voting down Labour’s motion 23-8 and demand that the party apologise to the senior officials who wrote the report.

Scotland should say Yes! To Fairer Votes on May 5th

Scotland should be proud; we have time and time again led the way on reform of our politics and political system. Now 3 out of 5 times when going to vote and mark our ballot paper at elections, you will number your candidates in order of preference as opposed to putting a cross in the box.

When do we use each system?

Preference systems

Local Elections

European Elections

Regional list in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections

First Past the Post

Westminster

Scottish constituency elections

Yesterday I was at the Scotland Yes! To Fairer Votes Campaign launch, backed by a cross party panel of Charles Kennedy MP (Liberal Democrats), Douglas Alexander MP (Labour), John Mason (SNP) & Patrick Harvie (Scottish Green).

Charles Kennedy MP (Liberal Democrats), Douglas Alexander MP (Labour), John Mason (SNP) & Patrick Harvie (Scottish Green)

The message was clear; our current system isn’t working and in the words of Patrick Harvie “we need to put First Past The post in the bin”.  It is outdated and is no longer fit for purpose at Westminster.

In the 2010 General Election on average 70% of voters do not have a say on who is elected in their constituency.

I believe our current First Past The Post system is undemocratic and fundamentally wrong and that is why I back the Yes! To Fairer Votes campaign to change it to Alternative Vote.

So what is Alternative Vote?

Simple, you number your candidates in order of preference. Then the candidate with 50% or more of the popular vote wins. Easy.

Watch this video by the Electoral Commission to find out more:

To get involved in the campaign or to read more about Alternative Vote then please go to www.yestofairervotes.org.

First Bus Group disregard for NHS Staff residents with change in the Number 5 service

On Thursday night staff at the ARI were told that First Aberdeen are to cut the frequency of the no 5 bus for the second time this year. The frequency was cut from 15 to 20 minutes in January and First Bus are now going to reduce the service again to every 30 minutes. This will have a direct impact on the people who use it in Danestone and the surrounding communities. This to put it bluntly is an unacceptable move by First Bus breaking a promise made by the Managing Director only a year ago.

In December 2009 First bus proposed to modify the route between Foresterhill and the Bridge of Don. After a public meeting held by Malcolm Bruce MP of which over 100 people made there voices heard, Bob Dorr the then Managing Director of First Bus Group stated that he was wrong on the usage of the bus route. He continued further by making a commitment to the people at the meeting, speaking behalf of First Bus Group, that any proposed changes to the Number 5 route would first have to be consulted with the general public.

Let us not forget that this route was given a Route Development Grant by the Scottish Government of approximately £250,000, which help provide 4 buses and infrastructure on the route to insure a higher frequency of buses. If this is to be modified leading to a service reduction will First bus give the Scottish Government its £250,000 back?

I for one, will not let this proposed change to the route happen without the people being consulted first as promised by First Bus Group. I will be working with Cllr George Penny and Malcolm Bruce MP to see this happens.

Local MPs speak up for North East over oil tax

Today I have revived a letter from Sir Robert Smith Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and North Kincardine. In it he showed his continued commitment to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire working with Malcolm Bruce MP, to ensure that our concerns about the Oil tax are heard in the House  of Commons, speaking to the Chancellor directly on the matter.

Stating on the Commons that “to call this a budget of growth is ludicrous”

Highlighting the impact this tax will have on investment in the region.
 
I praise all that they have both done so far, I will continue to speak to our MPs on the behalf Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone, ensure our voices stay heard.