Our proposed future plan for Banchory includes the completion of a relief road around the north of the town. The eastern part of this road has been approved by the Local Planning Authority, and is identified in the current Aberdeenshire Local Plan. We have shown the exact route of this road slightly differently, having considered it in more detail, against the landscape that exists. This leg of the road will improve connectivity from the north of the town to the Hill of Banchory and thus to the East of the town.

The Western leg of the relief road is shown on the alignment of the current 'tip' road. It is seen as a longer term potential solution to the traffic congestion in the town centre. As with so many towns, the historic core does not lend itself to road widening, and the sheer volume of cars and parking detracts from both the traditional character and the enjoyment of the area as a shopping destination. A lot of the traffic in the centre of Banchory is simply passing through, and the formation of a complete relief road around the North would not only reduce the number of cars passing through the town centre without stopping, but also improve connectivity for local traffic accessing the golf course and Deeside to the west of the town.

The proposed road cuts through Forestry Commission land, and its delivery would therefore be a matter for further discussion. The provision of such a road may ultimately be led by the Local Authority, and its development would require a combined effort between them, ourselves and the Forestry Commission. It is likely therefore to be some time before a detailed alignment is considered and becomes available for discussion.

We believe that it is important to safeguard the proposed relief road area at an early stage, but it is equally important to safeguard the public access to and the important landscape features of the land to the west of the town (Captain's Wood, Sunset Seat etc). Our indication of the relief road should not be understood to prejudice these.