A website has been launched by members of a local community, designed to spread the word about proposals for the dualling of the A96 and the importance of preserving the landscape of Bennachie.
The Save Bennachie Alliance is attempting to gain fresh support from local residents as well as provide information on alternative options.
Four routes are currently being discussed by Transport Scotland for the new A96 carriageway between Aberdeen and Inverness and the SBA group is campaigning for planners to build the road to the north and east of Inverurie, avoiding the foothills of Bennachie to the south.
Their deputy leader, Bob Smith, said: “We agree that the dualling of the A96 is a good thing to do, but now the route has been narrowed down to four options, we feel the route going round the foothills of Bennachie would not be the best option for two reasons.
“Firstly, once you put a dual carriageway through the foothills, you will place huge scars on the landscape which would really damage Bennachie and the surrounding area.
“So we want to make the position quite clear that digging up the landscape is environmentally and scenically a disaster.
“But secondly, it’s a total waste of time as much of the traffic in Inverurie is heading east and north, but if you go south, you don’t resolve pressures on the A947.
“We’re just saying ‘don’t dig up Bennachie’, it’s iconic and consider how the other routes would give us all a greater benefit.”
Chairwoman for the Ballies of Bennachie, Jackie Cumberbirch, said: “This website it solely about not wanting to see the environment affected.
“The Ballies of Bennachie will be discussing where the campaign is going, and gathering information, and we would encourage people of the local community to join us and get informed about the plans being proposed.”
Inverurie community councillor, Bryan Stuart, said: “I think there is an overwhelming case for an A96 bypass to go well to the east of Inverurie.
“I think there is an absolutely huge issue if there is any suggestion of encroaching any closer to Bennachie than the A96 does currently, so the group has my total support and I think it makes sense.
“This is a development exercise they are undertaking and Transport Scotland does have an obligation to look at all the options, so it’s not a criticism of them in any way, but, by applying common sense, any route must go to the east of Inverurie.”
The Save Bennachie Alliance will be holding a public engagement meeting at the Chapel of Garioch Village Hall at 7.15pm on Thursday, March 3.
For further information visit:
https://www.savebennachie.com/