The editorial team of the Torry Vision want to hear from you.
The team are introducing a new interactive section to the magazine and want to hear from the community.
In this section, you can write to the editors of Torry Vision, let us know of issues and events taking place in the community, send us your thoughts on topics we have covered. Have your say of what you want to see represented in the magazine and what you’d like to read.
Please email rose.ross@shmu.org.uk with the email subject TV Letters to the Editors to have your letter included in the magazine.
Welcome to the RAAC special edition of Torry Vision.
The Torry Vision Editorial team are aware that RAAC has been a major concern for the whole Torry Community, not simply those directly affected.
The team wanted to provide a platform for the Community to have their voice heard on the matter, we have heard from a number of people, from homeowners impacted, to members of the wider community, support services and Aberdeen City council.
If you’d like to tell your story and have your voice heard, please get in touch via the contact info below.
If you would like to get involved and join the editorial team or if you have ideas for the community publication, you can easily get in touch with us. The staff at SHMU are able to support and train anyone living in the area who is interested in developing their ideas and skills in either writing, photography or proof reading. So please don’t be shy, this is your magazine written, edited and designed by the good folk of Torry.
If you live in Torry and would like to come along to the editorial meetings or submit an article then get in touch with Rose at SHMU on 07752586312/ 01224 515 013 or you can email her on rose.ross@shmu.org.uk.
You can also view this magazine alongside previous editions on the SHMU website www.shmu.org.uk then click the ‘PRESS’ option.
You can be reassured that our distribution company is taking every measure to ensure they are delivering your magazine safely and within government guidelines.
Torry’s Vision is a community publication and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the editorial team or of shmu.
Happy Reading.
News from Torry Library Come see us in our new
space
Did you know that we moved to a new building? Come visit us in the Greyhope School and Community Hub – we will happily give you a tour of our brand-new library!
The library will be staffed 10am1pm & 2pm–5pm (Mondays and Thursdays), 1pm–7pm (Wednesdays) and 10am-1pm (Saturdays). However, the building is an open space and is available to the public from Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm, so you can borrow and return books using our self-service machine even when staff members aren’t present. Please visit www. aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/ libraries-and-archives/find-yourlocal-library for updates and information on our other libraries.
We offer up to two hours per day of PC access. These slots can be booked online via Netloan or by contacting libraries. We also offer printing services and
have photocopying and scanner facilities. PC access is also available when we are not staffed, and you can print online using Princh.
Visitors to the library can browse and borrow items. We offer books (including large print and audio books) and Junior and Adult DVDs. Borrowers can also request items, subject to availability.
If you know anyone who would be interested in borrowing library items but are unable to visit the library due to disability, illness, shielding or caring responsibilities, give us a call and we’ll let you know about our Home Library Service where we deliver the items to them every 4 weeks.
We also deliver Bookbug sessions for children aged 0-5 every 4 weeks. No need to book, just drop in and join us with your little ones for a story and plenty of songs and
rhymes! To check the dates, please visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ services/libraries-and-archives/ children-and-young-people/ bookbug/bookbug-sessionsaberdeen.
For any other information on our services, please visit www. aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/libraries or contact Torry Library by email: TorryLibrary@aberdeencity.gov. uk or telephone: 01224 764747
Would you be interested in a book group? Or a craft group meeting in the library? Would you like to see more author visits? This is your space, and we want to offer events you will love to attend. Let us know what activities you would like to see more of! Please speak to any staff member or make use of our suggestion box at the desk to let us know your thoughts.
We look forward to seeing you all in the new Torry library!
TULLOS GARDEN TURNS 6!
We celebrated 6 years of Tullos Community Garden back in May, with a fun filled afternoon which many families came attended. It was great to see so many smiling faces and the garden so busy - thank you to everyone who came along to celebrate with us!
The Critter Keeper was a big hit with kids and adults alike, we also had some craft activities, planting, our long overdue egg hunt, and glitter tattoo’s. Add to that good weather and a delicious Costco cake - all in all it was a great day! Big thanks to the 4 lovely Lochside lasses who volunteered with us for the day, we hope you had as much fun at the craft table and doing the tattoos as the kids did!
We are always looking for new people to get involved with the garden - please get in touch via our Facebook page or email tullosgarden@yahoo.com if this sounds like something for you. It’s not all gardening either - we are looking for someone who enjoys chatting to people to come along to our sessions to chat with new volunteers and visitors, leaving us able to get stuck into getting our hands dirty!
Please get in touch if you would be interested in this, or helping at future events, or of course coming along to work on the garden.
Hope you all have a great summer and to see you soon!
A bug’s life in Torry
Did you know that pollinators are in decline and need our help? In March of this year, Buglife Scotland in partnership with Aberdeen City Council officially launched the Aberdeen B-Lines project. The project aims to create important wildflower habitats for pollinators across the city. Twelve sites have been chosen for the habitat creation work, the closest one to Torry being at the Torry Battery near the dolphin watching café. For all the sites, native, local provenance wildflower species have been chosen to enhance the area for invertebrates, but also to help bring beautiful green spaces to the community.
Do you want to get involved? You can help with seeding and planting events, creating bee banks for solitary bees and learning to survey for pollinators! Just get in touch with Ruth Quigley, Buglife’s Conservation Officer for the project, at ruth. quigley@buglife.org.uk.
Aberdeen B-Lines is a partnership project, funded in part by the Nature Restoration Fund, distributed by NatureScot.
Greyhope Hub
Alice’s Knitters
The Knit ‘n’ Natter group at Greyhope have decided to change their name to Alice’s Knitters in honour of their dear friend and member Alice who sadly passed away in June. Alice always brought a radiant smile to the group. She loved to knit with her signature Aberdeen colours. The group are currently knitting red and white hats and scarves for the nursery at Greyhope in her memory.
The group meets every Wednesday 1.00pm -2.45pm in the library area.
Please come along to knit and crochet and have a cuppa. New learners are always welcome. Wool and needles will be provided.
Free Cooking Sessions
Are you keen to develop your cooking skills and knowledge about food and health eating?
Why not get in touch with Dorothy or Val - the sessions are free, fun and practical and will be based around your availability.
For more information please contact: Dorothy in Greyhope / Tullos (07342 063378) or Val at St Fitticks ( 07723 778788)
Thanks to Tesco Wellington Road for their food donations for last course.
Boys Brigade in Torry
The Registration Night for the 20th Aberdeen Boys Brigade Company will be on Friday 23rd August 2024, at Torry UF Church in Grampian Road. This will be a drop-in, from 7-8pm.
We welcome all boys aged from 5 - 18 years, and we meet every Friday from 6.45 - 8.30pm (term time). Activities include games, marching, craft, quiet time and tuckshop, as well as some outside trips / events. (A favourite this year was a trip to the ice hockey!)
For more information, please email us at: 20thbbtorryuf@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you!
Pets Page
My name is Storm, Loirston Place is where I belong, If we ever should meet, Well, you’re in for a treat!
See I’m a special wee soul, Spreading love is my goal, I might follow you home.
Don’t worry I have more than one of my own! I like to make friends with people, you see, But I don’t need rescued so please leave me be, To carry on with my wanderer’s life, Free from any interference and strife!
Thank you
Timeline of the RAAC Crisis in Balnagask
By Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
In the 1950s, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, was first used to construct buildings across the UK as a cheaper alternative to regular concrete. Since then, its limited life span has raised concerns over the potential collapse of roofs which contain the ‘bubbly’ material.
Between 1967 and 1969, many of the ‘hen houses’ in Balnagask were built, with over 500 being constructed using RAAC.
Concerns began to be raised about the potential risks of using RAAC in construction in the mid-1990s. In 1999, homeowners with pre-1980 RAAC were told to get their homes inspected.
In 2018, part of the roof in a school in Kent collapsed, prompting warnings from local authorities about the life span of RAAC.
In 2023, a crisis began as thousands of buildings across the UK were inspected for the presence of RAAC. In August, the Health and Safety Executive declared: “RAAC is now life-expired. It is liable to collapse with little or no notice.”
Here in the city, RAAC was found at the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. In October, Aberdeen City Council said that more than 500 properties in Balnagask likely contain the material.
In February 2024, Aberdeen City Council announced that the residents of 364 council properties will be ‘rehomed.’ Residents were told they could choose the type of home or the location, not both. The relocation of tenants continued throughout the spring and into the summer.
As residents moved out, some streets were left completely empty. Residents raised concerns over increased fly-tipping and unsecured properties. Additional wardens were deployed to patrol the area.
As of 3 July, 58 tenants had been moved to new accommodation, and 113 total leases had been signed.
As the crisis has dragged on, local charities have offered mental health support for affected individuals. A six-week support group is set to launch from the end of August at Greyhope School. To apply for a place, residents are asked to contact Laura at lsimmons@mhaberdeen.org.uk or call 07858 248395.
At their July meeting, Aberdeen City Council said that affected homes may need to be demolished, and noted they are hoping to relocate all tenants by the end of the year. Replacing the affected roofs would cost around £70,000 per home, compared to demolition, which would cost just £10,000 for each property.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “At a meeting of Council today it was agreed to explore four long-term options for local authority properties –support the panels with a timber frame, replace the roofing, demolish the properties, or demolition with consideration of future housebuilding.
“In February the Council resolved to rehome all council tenants on safety grounds by the end of 2024 – and that remains the goal regardless of the option chosen by the Council when it meets again on August 21.”
On Wednesday, August 21st, Aberdeen City Council voted to demolish all homes affected by RAAC and build a mix of new homes within Balnagask. It is estimated that demolition will cost between 20-25 million pounds, and take 3-4 years to complete.
The rebuilding process could take between 5-15 years, and cost more than 130 million pounds. Council tenants will continue to be rehomed, and private owners will be offered market value for their homes. However, concerns have been raised that the market value of homes will be much less due to the presence of RAAC.
“John’s Story
John Meiklejohn is a homeowner impacted by RAAC. John and his wife bought their home three years ago. John had been renting in Torry for three years before that. When they bought their home, they thought it was perfect, their ideal home in a community they already felt connected to. John shared his thoughts ahead of the council meeting on the 21st of August
“I bought my house just over three years ago and I’m now facing the prospect of either being made homeless or having a hugely expensive repair bill to get my house back to being in a safe standard.”
Receiving a letter in October 2023, John was shocked to find out that his home had been built with RAAC. Having been aware of RAAC as an issue since 2018, John was shocked as he had only heard that this was an issue affecting public buildings such as libraries, hospitals and schools. He never dreamed it would affect people’s homes and certainly not his.
As residents moved out, some streets were left completely empty. Residents raised concerns over increased fly-tipping and unsecured properties. Additional wardens were deployed to patrol the area.
“
John’s Story Cont.
He was informed by the council they would be doing some surveys and testing on houses, many of which were unoccupied. “I raised some questions on that, asking, well, why is it just empty houses? My understanding is this material can deteriorate at different rates for different buildings, even in buildings identical, it can still deteriorate differently within them, and it was very unpredictable.
“I was advised that homeowners should arrange their own surveys of the property, to see what condition the RAAC was in, and how imminent the danger was. I tried several times, several companies, most of them didn’t reply. The ones that did, one stated they can’t do that type of inspection. It’s an intrusive inspection, they don’t do that. The other three stated that they had heard about this in the area, and they were going through procedures to see how and if they could actually help us out and do the surveys. They took my details and said they would get back to me. The last one I contacted was about five months ago now. No response. So, the council’s idea of arranging for our own surveys isn’t practical. I can’t locate any survey firm that’s prepared to survey my house. I can’t even get one that will give me an estimate for surveying my house.”
John’s mortgage provider also advised him to get a survey done
but of course expect him to continue paying his mortgage as originally agreed. “As long as I make the mortgage payments to continue with the mortgage, they’re not looking at cutting me out. However, should I choose to change mortgage, I’ll have severe problems because I’ll need to get my house valued. I can’t get that done. It will require a survey that as soon as they find out that the building has RAAC in it, they’ll essentially not give me a value.
“ It has a huge impact in the wider community. You have the council tenants moving out, a lot of them have children that attend local schools.
That they’ve either got to get buses and taxis to school or relocate into different schools”
“So, my home is, to all intents and purposes, valueless. Even if it did have value, highly unlikely anyone would want to buy it, because of its potentially dangerous state.
John elaborated on his feelings about the situation “I’m appalled at the council’s complete lack of support, help and assistance of any type at all. Their advice has just not worked. I feel that the homeowners have been badly let
down in Torry.” John recognises the impact that RAAC will have on Torry. “It has a huge impact in the wider community. You have the council tenants moving out, a lot of them have children that attend local schools. That they’ve either got to get buses and taxis to school or relocate into different schools.
“That is quite traumatic for children, especially at a young age. They’ve just settled into one school and they’re having to move into another. I remember when I was a kid, the school we were in closed down and we had to move to another one and all our friends got dispersed into different schools. I found that hard when I was a kid.
“For the kids here, it’s going to be the same thing. The relationships they’ve built up with their school friends is, is effectively gone by them having to move school. Local businesses, there are a few shops nearby. Quite a few people in the area would use those shops. They’re going to be losing 500 households.
“Being in a house that isn’t impacted by it still has a huge social impact on you because you’re living now next to effectively houses that are, are empty with no knowledge as to when they’re going to be occupied again. Their community is going and it’s not very comfortable.”
Hannah’s Story
Hannah Chowdhry is a 20-yearold a student and first-time homeowner, living in one of the RAAC affected homes in Torry. Hannah shared her story with Torry Vision in July.
“As a first-time buyer, I was so excited to get my first house in June last year. I love Aberdeen and I moved here to do my degree. I was excited; it was a new chapter in my life. After finding out about RAAC and how I could potentially become homeless or my roof could collapse at any time, it has been difficult. This was supposed to be my safe space, a place to call my own for a couple of years while I study here and to just enjoy some independence for the first time away from my family, but it’s causing more stress than anything else.”
After buying her home in June, Hannah spent her time furnishing it, before moving in, in September. She received the letter from the Council making her aware of RAAC in October.
Hannah’s family live in London, and are understandably incredibly worried about her, dealing with this on her own so far away. “I’m legally not allowed to sell it now. There’s no equity in the house. It’s practically worthless and I still must pay a mortgage on top of that.
“So, it’s, it’s a really difficult situation to be in. And I would never imagine that I’d be in this position after buying my first house.”
Like many others faced with this issue, it has taken a toll on Hannah’s mental health. “It has affected me, not knowing what could happen to my house.
I could lose it. I could become homeless. I don’t have money to live anywhere else. I can’t afford student accommodation while paying for my mortgage at the same time. So, it is very scary. And it’s just disheartening that no one is taking our cries for help seriously.”
Hannah is the Chairperson of the Torry Community RAAC Campaign (TCRC), a constituted group meeting monthly to campaign and discuss updates. The group have a petition that they are encouraging people to sign to strengthen their voice. She said, “I think it’s really good that we have a good, strong community spirit, but obviously we just need to do more and keep going for there to be a difference to be made”.
Hannah is also deeply concerned for the council tenants who have been affected by this too. “I think the real threat is people being kicked out of their homes and not being
able to return. Many council tenants, they have been permanently relocated somewhere else. They’ve spent years and thousands and thousands of pounds creating their homes in Torry, you know, buying furniture, creating a safe space for grandchildren and children to grow up in.”
Ahead of the council’s vote on the 21st of August, Hannah felt that she and other homeowners were “in limbo”. Following the decision, which saw the council vote to proceed with the option to demolish and explore rebuilding, Hannah once again shared her feelings.
“I am shocked by the decision of Aberdeen councillors to ignore the pleas of homeowners seeking a fair value for their homes. During the full council meeting, it became clear that they now intend to use pre-RAACdeclaration valuations, abandoning their initial plan to offer zero-equity current market value. In my case this result in the loss of a large deposit and leave me with an outstanding mortgage of over £40,000. On top of this, I’ll still have my existing student loans and will need to cover rent for a new residence.
“This is an incredibly difficult blow, and I am hoping the Scottish Government or UK Government will step in to provide assistance to the 138 private homeowners affected.”
If you’d like to sign the petition, visit the link https://petitions. parliament.scot/petitions/PE2113
Lynne Restrup is a long-term resident of Torry, residing in the area for 50 years and is part of three generations living in the area “My mum lives around the corner, my oldest son lives around another corner.”
Lynne spoke with Torry Vision as a community member, sharing the impact that RAAC is having on the community of Torry as a whole.
“I can imagine what it must feel like to suddenly have the one space that you feel is your safe space, no longer feel safe. Because for the people in RAAC affected homes, they no longer have that feeling of safety anymore in their home.”
As someone who is well connected in the area, from being close to her family and friends, her work and a member of various community groups, Lynne feels for those who may be moved away.
“Even if they were to be offered other properties, they may be moving away from family and friends like I would if I was in that situation. I’d be moving away from my mum who’s in her 80s and my older son. So, it’s not just about the houses. It’s about, the connections that you have with people within the community. And that’s a lot harder. You can’t really measure that. So as somebody who’s not directly affected by it, I actually find myself getting quite emotional about it, at the loss to the community of and the people who would prefer to stay in Torry, who’ve built their lives here, who’ve contributed a lot to the community, you know, and their children have grown up here, they maybe have family and friends around them here.
“You know, they’re on the PTA at the school. They’re members of churches locally. They join the litter picking. They’re active, full members of our community that we are going to lose through no choice of theirs.
“There are two people I know who are affected and are very active in the community. One set up a community group and the other does a lot with the foodbanks, so we are losing these kinds of people. One has just recently been told that she can get another property in Torry, which is great news, but the other is still in limbo.”
Lynne shared her thoughts on how she can already see this issue effecting the community. “I feel
it’s becoming really fractured in Torry. The way that the council has chosen to address the issue by offering to rehome council tenants has somehow pitted those council tenants through no choice of their own against the homeowners or people who are renting from the private landlords whose houses were previously council properties before.
“So, while the council tenants have slowly been getting moved out, it’s really highlighted the fact that at some point they will all get moved out. But then there’s going to be whole swathes of streets where you may be in the position where next door to you is a council tenant that’s moved out, the other side of you is another council tenant that’s moved out.”
Lynne also feels greatly for the homeowners. “You’ve bought your home, which, you know, people are encouraged to do. A lot of older people in Torry were in their council houses for a long period of time. They thought they would get a little bit of security, maybe with retiring, living on their pension, and they would know their outgoings if they bought their own homes.
“I don’t want to speak for them, but the mood is that they feel very abandoned by the public and City Council and Scottish Government as well.
“So, it’s, in a sense, worthless, facing huge bills to rectify the situation that didn’t exist when they bought the property and most of
“
Lynne’s Story
them just simply don’t have that money to spend. So, they are really stuck.”
This matter is bound to have knock on effects for the whole community, that Torry is likely feel deeply. “There are people losing their shops, losing the library, the school rolls dropping, things like the doctor’s surgery, the dentist, if we suddenly lose up to 10 percent or more of the Torry community, which is what it would be if 500 houses were demolished. That’s one tenth of our population and it’s just going to disappear. And that’s why the people, even if they’re not directly affected, are just devastated by it as well. Obviously, we’re sorry for the people who were directly affected.
“I can only imagine how they feel because for the community as a whole, it’s a huge blow.”
““I can imagine what it must feel like to suddenly have the one space that you feel is your safe space, no longer feel safe. Because for the people in rack affected homes, they no longer have that feeling of safety anymore in their home.”
“Mental Health Aberdeen
Mental Health Aberdeen’s Counselling Services Manager, Laura Simmons kindly shared the project she is working on to support those impacted by RAAC in Torry.
“My name is Laura Simmons, and I’m the Counselling Services Manager for Mental Health Aberdeen. So that basically means I have overall operational responsibility of our six counselling projects in Aberdeen City and Shire. One of them is a Fairer Aberdeen funded project, um, based in Tory, where we have a counsellor who works out of the Tory medical practice.
“I was approached by Aberdeen City Council and the Fairer Aberdeen Fund to run a closed six-week support group for residents in Tory affected by RAAC running from the end of August. I will be facilitating that group. I’m trained in group therapy. I’m a trained counsellor.
When Laura was approached by the council to run the support group, she wasn’t previously aware of the issue.
“When I did some research, I was really shocked. I was shocked that this has happened and I was shocked about the lack of support that residents seem to be getting. It’s all seemed to be very slow moving, and since I’ve started speaking to people about it, I’ve been really quite taken aback by the lack of continuity and approach, and the information that residents are getting, and really the slow nature of, of the progress that’s been made.
“I suppose I felt like, if this was me in this situation, how unsettling and how stressful that would be for me.
So yeah, I have a great deal of empathy for the residents.”
So, Laura is keen to provide some support for Torry residents, she is planning to run the first support group for 8 to 10 residents. If the group is successful and there is a demand for it, she plans to run another group.
“I hope that I will be able to support them to work through their stresses, talk about their anxiety, talk about the sense of limbo and how difficult it is and how stressful it is. Really just have a place to take that and be met and supported and validated in their struggles.
“And obviously we are not part of Aberdeen City Council. We’re separate. We’re a charity that exists in Aberdeen and has done since 1950. We’re aware of the issues that residents face generally in Aberdeen and have a long history of supporting, Aberdeen City residents.
“I’m really hopeful that it gives people a place to come and be validated and heard and supported in their struggles. I’d really like to hear more from members of the community about what they need.”
RAAC Focus
Aberdeen City Council response
In his role as Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader, Christian Allard gave a statement to Torry Vision prior to the decision on the 21st of August.
When asked when the council became aware of the potential risk of RAAC, Councillor Allard said, “The existence of RAAC panels within the roofs of housing properties was confirmed in September 2023.”
Whether private homeowners were made aware of their property being built using RAAC, at the time of purchase, the Co-Leader is unsure. “I do not have the detail of what information was shared at the time of Right-To-Buy. The Council has no role within a forward sale of any property.”
Information that was collected through invasive surveys and inspections of occupied council properties was presented in a report to the Council ahead of the decision on the 21st of August.
Councillor Allard explained the 4 options, that were considered by
the council: “Option 1, was adding timber runners to extend the bearing length at the support walls.
“Option 2 was to install a support timber frame under existing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roof panels.
Option 3 is the removal of the RAAC panels and replace the roof. Option 4a, demolition only. Option 4b, Demolition and build new homes.”
On August the 21st, the council voted to accept officers’ recommendation to proceed with the option of demolition followed by a rebuilding programme. Rehousing of council tenants will continue and they plan to purchase the private properties by voluntary agreement.
Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is one of the hardest decisions the Council has taken. We recognise the impact this will have on residents; many having lived in their home for many years.
“The Council will also explore providing a mix of new homes for the longer term, and we look forward to working with the local
community and potential partners in developing the regeneration plans.
“Owners will be offered market value along with reasonable legal costs, and home loss and disturbance payments.”
Councillor Allard assures that there are support options available for homeowners and council tenants.
“Meetings are being conducted when requested. On-going engagement with all parties, such as community groups, Torry Locality Partnership, Torry Community Council. I spoke at many of those meetings.” For the Council tenants there is a “rehoming programme supported by a dedicated team of Housing and Support Officers. Mental Health and Wellbeing support is also available.”
The Co-leader also wishes to remind those affected that they could contact their local councillors for help. “All locally elected Councillors are available for any further one to one support and advice.”
Councillor Allard can be contacted at callard@aberdeencity.go.uk
Josh Pizzuto Pomaco
Janice Mackie and Kevin Patterson
Erica Mitchell
Natalie Hood
Cllr Christian Allard and Cllr Lee Fairfull
Thanks to all residents and the local community for providing feedback on the options to be considered for RAAC. Please see page 13 to read about the decision and support available.
Greyhope Road is now accessible from the South Harbour only, please take care as it is a very busy road particularly when cruise ships are in. The Torry Battery is as busy as ever. The Festival of the Sea was also a great success with events in Torry, all preparing us for the Tall Ships visit next year when Torry will have an important part to play in the event.
Finally, after the decision of Stagecoach to stop their services to Lochside Academy, and after efforts your four local councillors and officers, we are pleased to let know parents and young people that First Bus is stepping in.
The Service 3S will continue to operate 2 single deck buses as per current operation, departing from Victoria Bridge at 07:58 and 08:05, travelling via Grampian Road. The return journeys follows the route in reverse and then travels along Walker Road
instead of Grampian Road, departing Lochside at 15:50/15:52 (Mondays and Tuesdays) and 15:00/15:02 (Wednesdays to Fridays).
Service 22A will operate 1, high capacity bus, departing Victora Bridge at 07:51, travelling via Victoria Road and Balnagask Road and arriving at Lochside Academy at 08:18. This will return following the reverse route, departing Lochside at 15:50 (Mondays and Tuesdays) and 15:00 (Wednesdays to Fridays).
Service 22C will operate 1, high capacity bus, departing Balnagask Road at 08:00, travelling via Balnagask Circle and arriving at Lochside Academy at 08:20. This will return following the reverse route, departing Lochside at 15:50 (Mondays and Tuesdays) and 15:00 (Wednesdays to Fridays).
The former services 22A/B were operated by 4 high capacity vehicles and this does represent a reduction in capacity. At the same time, passenger reports from the former services would suggest that there is sufficient capacity on the revised services.
To support the reduced capacity pupils who live west of Mansefield Road and north of Tullos Place will be encouraged to use the existing service 3S which departs from Victoria Road and Grampian Place and returns to Walker Road and Victoria Road. Additionally pupils who live on the western ends of Girdleness Road, Kirkhill Road and Balnagask Road will also be encouraged to utilise the 3S, from Grampian Road/Walker Road and Wellington Road.
A reminder from Councillor Lee Fairfull who is in maternity leave and, for the foreseeable future, who will have a limited online presence. All enquiries are to be forwarded to her fellow councillor for Torry, Christian, or your local MSP and re-elected MP, Audrey Nicoll and Stephen Flynn respectively, who will all be more than happy to help.
Christian Allard
Elected Councillor for Torry and Ferryhill
Surgeries by appointment, please call 01224 346642 or email callard@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Elected Officials
Cllr Simon Watson
Don’t read this – you’ve got something better to do!
Many people have had their hands full keeping kids entertained in the summer holidays; alongside the usual demands of keeping down a job; keeping the bills paid; and keeping a roof over your head. But I want to report back to you, the people who elected me. Starting with a moment to celebrate some of the fantastic things about Torry. I was privileged to represent you at the 9th birthday of Big Noise Torry at Greyhope Hub, with the brilliant children of all ages who were playing and singing. They were not just skilful, but their teamwork and maturity knocked my socks off. The “Go Torry” day showed the resourcefulness of our community, and I joined the heaving crowd squashed inside the new Outdoor Classroom at its opening.
As one of your local elected councillors, I’ve been doing my best to give you a helping hand with your daily demands. Some of this is helping individuals with
personal matters, such as clearing overgrown areas and fallen trees, and getting compensation for unfair charges. But on collective matters I have repeatedly challenged threats to a decent environment for the people of Torry. My heart skipped a beat the other week when I saw a young deer leaping in the wetlands of St Fitticks Park, and it’s great that this year’s Scottish Climate Camp highlighted the cause to a wider public.
My job is to help give you a bigger voice, and on RAAC I’m pleased to have pushed the council to look at a rebuilding option if any homes are demolished, and to give council tenants the right to return if they must move away. But I’ve also called for a better deal for vulnerable residents who can’t see a future for themselves if they have to move and spoken up for the private owners are facing financial ruin. It’s not just about individuals, the issue affects the community as a whole.
Many people, including many who are working, still face a grim cost-
of-living crisis. I sit on the council’s anti-poverty committee and have demanded a specific action plan to help those in need of financial support or access to advice services. Getting easy access to good advice – on a whole range of matters – is a key way of stopping people from being excluded. Access to decent transport is important too, and I’m glad that all of your local councillors have come together to try to protect the school bus service to Lochside Academy, which his under threat.
If I can help you at all, please get in touch with me at the details below; at the community council meetings; or at my regular surgeries (in school term time) 6-7pm on the third Wednesday of the month at Greyhope Hub.
Very best wishes, Simon simwatson@aberdeencity. gov.uk, 07944 484 561, www.facebook.com/ SimonWatson4TorryFerryhill
Aberdeen Links Service
The Aberdeen Links Service, delivered by SAMH, aims to support local people to connect with their community and overcome life’s challenges. Whether it is money worries, housing issues or social security problems, they give practical and emotional support that can change lives.
Aberdeen is one of the few places in Scotland that has a Link Practitioner in every single GP practice across the city. Link Practitioners are there to offer practical and emotional support with any non-clinical factors that may be impacting your health and wellbeing. Your Link Practitioner will be able listen to what is affecting you, work with you to identify personal outcomes, support you to overcome any barriers you may be facing, and connect you with resources available in your community that may be able to help you overcome the issue you are experiencing.
Link Practitioners can support and refer individuals into a wide variety of local services which cover a range of different non-clinical topics. These include but are not limited to:
Money management
Benefit support
Housing
Food & Fuel Poverty
Isolation
Addiction
Mental Health
Local activities
Carer support
Employment help
And many more…
If you think you would benefit from the Aberdeen Links service, please contact your GP practice and ask for a referral.
Cllr Michael Kusznir
All ward councillors have been representing constituents affected by RAAC, having regular meetings with Officers ahead of a final decision being made in August.
At the last Council meeting I was able to push to have the options updated and that there is now an option of ‘demolition and consideration of future housebuilding’. Previously there was not an explicit option that included potential future housebuilding. Any of the options will take years to be finished and it is important that we as Councillors have the vision to also look to the future and see what options there are available.
I am concerned that yearly, we have seen illegal occupation of St Fittick’s Park. I have asked Officers to develop proposals to reduce the opportunities for those who wish to illegally occupy the park. It causes damage to the park, leaves a mess for the Council to clear up and residents can be intimidated. It is not acceptable.
I was asked about the pavillion near Cruyff Court, and this is going to be subject to a Community Asset Transfer, not covering the janitors house. This means a local group could apply to take over the building and run it for the benefit of the community.
I was also glad, as a user of Tullos Pool, to see the large and various potholes in its carpark filled in. As always, please contact me if you have any local queries that you would like me to raise.
