An Aberdeen reverend has been forced to deal with “holey” matters of a different sort – after his congregation raised fears about potholes riddling the streets around his church.
Reverend Markus Auffermann has blasted Aberdeen City Council for its lack of care on the roads around Woodside Parish Church.
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Rev Auffermann said that certain streets, including Tanfield Walk, Western Road, Church Street and Anderson drive can “hardly be called roads anymore” and are full of “huge and dangerous” potholes.
He has voiced concerns for not only motorists visiting the church, but elderly or disabled pedestrians facing difficulty navigating the pockmarked roads.
Rev Auffermann said: “I’ve been here for 12 and a half years, and it’s a major ongoing problem.
“It’s bad all around Woodside, but it’s at its worst all around the church and some of the smaller streets.
“I’m from Germany originally and our roads are much better in general, but British conditions are a lot more decent, so it is hard to understand how they can get so bad.
“As the parish minister here, I am really concerned and deeply care about my community.
“We have a lot of elderly and vulnerable people in the congregation and in the wider community, and it really is a big problem.
“It’s bad for drivers because it can cause a lot of problems and damage your car, but it’s a dire situation for people who are walking as well, there’s a real danger that someone could have a nasty fall or sprain their ankles in these huge holes in the ground.
“We have complained, but nothing major has been done. I know the council must wait until after winter to get most of the work done, but over the past few years there just hasn’t been enough of a focus in Woodside, in my opinion.”
