Decision Maker: Marr Area Committee

Outcome: Approve

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 4, 2025

Purpose: Report for the determination of new speed limits

Content: to approve the commencement of the statutory procedures for the making of “The Aberdeenshire Council (Marr) (Amendments) (Speed Limits) Order 2025” shown within Appendix 1 to the report;   to approve in principle the subsequent making of The Aberdeenshire Council (Marr) (Amendments) (Speed Limits) Order 2025 where no valid objections are received or where any received are resolved and withdrawn;     to note the speed limits which did not meet Aberdeenshire Council’s Speed Limits Policy, shown within Appendix 2 and 2A of the report; and   to refer the following speed limits to Infrastructure Service Committee for consideration for the reasons outlined:   A93/A957 Crathes Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety, highlighting pedestrian safety including for users of the Deeside Way which followed the narrow pavement on the A93 until it turned down on the A957; different speed limits in the area; and linking between local amenities in the village. A93/B976 Crathie Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety,  highlighting the presence of Balmoral as a tourist attraction with two busy car parks and pedestrians walking in the area and crossing the A93 to visit Crathie Kirk and cafes. A93 Aboyne Refer to ISC based on local knowledge, health and safety reasons and as it was considered to meet Transport Scotland guidance on 20mph speed limits, highlighting that it was within a 100m walk of the community centre used by all ages and abilities; children crossing to go school; in excess of 20 residential premises fronting the road; being within a 100m walk of places of worships, sports facilities, playparks and Aboyne Green; and the composition of roads users implying a lower speed limit was required to improve conditions for vulnerable road users. A93 Ballater Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety, highlighting local tourism and pedestrians walking in the area. A93 Banchory to Inchmarlo Motion: Refer to ISC, as shown on the map on page 46, on the basis of local knowledge and health and safety, to promote active travel, to reduce road casualties, and to link the villages.   Amendment:  Refer to ISC for consideration of a speed reduction in the area around the Inchmarlo Retirement Village only, based on local knowledge and road safety. The full extent shown on the map was considered too great a distance and not necessary, with it being a trunk road and not used by pedestrians.   Following a vote (4:3), the motion was carried.   Requested that the minute extract reflecting the differing views and vote be provided to ISC. A93 Bridge of Gairn Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons. A93 Cambus o' May Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting difficulties accessing the hotel, speeding on the bend and buses stopping. A93 Kincardine O'Neil Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting travel to the school, the natural development of the village, and the playing field which was well used by families. A97 Glenkindie Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that the road was used for walking and cycling into the village. A944 East of Alford Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting  the  presence of the garage and a number of junctions, access from Meikle Endovie cottages including children catching the bus at the junction, and  a number of accidents and near misses. A980 Torphins Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting speeding issues, and pedestrian safety for walking to school and other services in the village. B972 Pass of Ballater Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting use by heavy lorries, coaches, cars and the narrow, winding nature of the road which could be dangerous. B974 Belts of Collonach Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting speed issues. Ballogie Refer to ISC a request for the speed limit within Ballogie to be reduced to 20mph based on local knowledge and health and safety, highlighting that it was a long term community request, the presence of Ballogie nursery, it being a tourist area, horse establishments in the area, and agriculture and forestry vehicle usage. B9094 Aboyne Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, with crossings into the Aboyne Woods highlighted, and for consistency of speed limits. Banchory Motion: Refer to ISC as shown on the map on page 57, on the basis of local knowledge and road safety, to link the town together, reduce speeds, and encourage active travel. Amendment: Refer to ISC on the basis of local knowledge and road safety, but excluding Hill of Banchory as a reduction to 20mph on this road was not considered necessary.   Following a vote (4:3) the motion was carried.   Requested that the minute extract reflecting the differing views and vote be provided to ISC. Braemar Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that the A93 stretch was used by people coming from walking routes, the youth hostel and caravan park into the village, and by families crossing to school, and that Cluny Bank Road went from the centre of the village to the golf course, tennis courts and walking routes, and was very narrow with no pavements. C45m Kingsford, Alford Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that it just missed several policy criteria for  speed limit reduction but that combined there was a safety issue, with the road being used for walking to school, residential properties and businesses on either side, and no street lighting or footpath. C52M Montgarrie to Alford Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that it was a well-used road, used by large vehicles, but that it was also used as a footpath and there was no pavement. C67M Towie Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that the school was on one side of the road, with the village hall and car parking on the other, and a number of sharp bends. A93/A97/B9158 Dinnet Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting housing, holiday accommodation, the car park, playpark, recycling, village hall and hotel on one side if the road and the Deeside Way core path on the other; the A97 being designated for timber lorries which crossed the A93 to go over Dinnet Bridge which was busier than ever due to the Aboyne Bridge closure; and accidents in the area. Riverside Drive, Huntly Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that it was part of well used active travel routes and busy for walking, cycling, access to the ski centre etc. U80m Lumsden Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that the road connected the main part of Lumsden to outlying residences and should be a safe route to school but was a narrow road with no footpath. C79S Gartly Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting that the short area crossed a narrow bridge where the footpath, used to access the bus stops, was right on the road and quite dangerous. Monymusk Refer to ISC based on local knowledge and health and safety reasons, highlighting residences and no footpath on the road to the north, and ongoing issues at the B944 junction, with cars speeding around the corner, recent collisions with damage to the listed toll house building, the blind junction turning left out of Monymusk, and pedestrian access to the bus stop on the main road.