Building Briefs – February 16th

A new path has opened connecting an Aberdeen community to the benefits of the £22.3 million Diamond Bridge after local residents requested it as an addition to the already extensive pedestrian and cycle path infrastructure created in the project.

The £500,000 path connects residents in Balgownie to the new Gordon Brae and has been funded by Aberdeen City Council, Nestrans and the Scottish Government, through Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links programme.

The third Don crossing was the biggest bridge infrastructure project to be built in Aberdeen in the last 30 years, and was opened by Aberdeen City Council in June 2016.

The project, which has involved the construction of two major bridges, 2.4km of new roads and new cycleways and pavements, was designed to connect with other major infrastructure projects. These include the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, the Berryden Corridor and the Dyce Park and Ride at Craibstone.

The new path was suggested by local residents during the latter part of the third Don crossing project and was taken on board by Aberdeen City Council.

Free home insulation on offer to Aberdeen home owners and private tenants

Residents in Aberdeen are being given the opportunity to save money and improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Aberdeen City Council is encouraging eligible householders to take advantage of the Warmer Homes Aberdeen Scheme. The scheme offers free insulation upgrades to privately owned properties where there is inadequate insulation in the loft, walls or under the floor.

Householders will qualify for the scheme if they or their home meet any one of the following criteria:

Households taking part in the programme could save over £300 annually just by improving the insulation in their home and acting on the home energy advice could save over £200.

In addition to insulation, residents can also get free home energy advice from a qualified home energy advisor.

The Warmer Homes Scheme is funded through the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland. Aberdeen City Council is delivering the scheme in partnership with local organisation Scarf, Home Energy Scotland, and recently appointed insulation contractor, BCA Insulation.

Whitlawburn resource centre in line for makeover

A community centre in Whitlawburn is to receive a makeover after it received a grant for nearly half a million pounds.

Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre was awarded £499,472 from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Our Place programme which was established to support local people to identify priorities for their area.

The grant will be used to carry out roof works and cladding and timber repairs and general improvement of the interior of the building. The centre will also employ a development worker and community engagement worker.

The centre provides a range of services including financial inclusion support, an IT Hub, a household recycling project and food co-operative. There are also a range of groups that access the centre including a local foodbank, parent and youth groups, exercise classes and football classes.

Realm Construction to start fife bridge repair works

Realm Construction is to begin bridge repairs works at St. Andrews in Fife.

Work to strengthen the structure, which crosses the St. Nicholas Burn at Woodburn Place, will get underway on Monday, 19 February.

The five-week scheme will involve removing part of the existing bridge and replacing it with a new concrete slab. In addition, the existing traffic island will be removed, allowing traffic to flow two-ways once the work is complete.

The road will remain open with a give and take system in place for the majority of the works. However, a two-day road closure will be required towards the end of the scheme to complete resurfacing works.