Just when you thought Platinum Jubilee celebrations were over, Aberdeenshire Council has issued one last cheer for Her Majesty.
Fans of the monarchy enjoyed a long weekend of bunting-bedecked revelry with concerts, flag-waving parades and sun-soaked street parties marking The Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Today, Aberdeenshire Council rubber-stamped one more way to mark the record-breaking reign.
Members of the Garioch area committee voted unanimously to christen a section of the A944 Aberdeen to Alford route Jubilee Drive, at the point between the Straik Road and Westhill.
One councillor hailed the move a “fitting legacy”.
Jubilee Drive a ‘permanent marker’
The royal renaming was the brainchild of Westhill and Elrick Community Council – following “significant discussion” about how to mark the milestone.
And it comes as part of efforts to spruce up the area around the trunk route, which is currently unnamed.
Speaking after the meeting, group chairman Mervyn Barr explained that members felt the stretch should be named after becoming more developed in recent years.
He said: “With Starbucks and McDonald’s opening up, that stretch of road has become more part of the town now.
“And this felt like a way to give it a name while also having a permanent marker of the Platinum Jubilee.”
Planting scheme to show Westhill is more than an industrial estate
Mervyn added: “We plan to do extensive planting around what will be Jubilee Drive, as it’s just grass at the moment.
“We have permission from the landowners for a variety of shrubs and trees.
“Coming down the dual carriageway towards Westhill, you can see these industrial estates looming towards you…
“It’s only when you get past those that you realise it’s a town in its own right, and we want to make that more obvious.”
Will residents be affected by road change?
Inverurie and District councillor Marion Ewenson was assured that, as nobody lives off the stretch, the change won’t mean any residents need to alter their address.
Members were also told that the £300 costs involved will be met by the community council.
Westhill councillor Iris Walker said: “It will be a fitting legacy, it was great to see the community spirit for the jubilee this past weekend.”
With little further debate, members unanimously approved the plans.
Is the Queen ever likely to use Jubilee Drive?
The route between Aberdeen International Airport and the royal family’s Scottish home at Balmoral does cross the A944.
But the quickest approach goes along the AWPR before joining it at Kingsford – and then joining the B9119 to eventually reach Deeside.
She would be mere yards away, but the cavalcade is unlikely to actually use Westhill’s Jubilee Drive…
Unless they take a brief detour past especially.
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