Community / Road safety among key themes as folk share views on Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh
People can offer their views via online maps, while an in-person event will be held in Cunningsburgh on Sunday
PEOPLE have begun sharing their views and thoughts on Gulberwick, Quarff, Cunningsburgh and Fladdabister – with road safety one of the recurring themes.
It comes as work continues by the Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council on a local place plan for the area.
People are already able to share their thoughts – positive and negative – on the three areas, as well as Fladdabister, on online maps.
There is also set to be an event at the Cunningsburgh Hall from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday (16 November), where there will be a chance for people to offer their views in person – and enjoy free teas, homebakes and children’s activities too.
Community council clerk Kerry Geddes said it is not just residents that can leave feedback.
“Anyone who works, visits, attends events, walks in the area or even just passes through are also encouraged to share their thoughts,” she said.
“Community councillors are keen to gather as many views as possible.”
There have already been a number of comments left on the online ‘Placecheck’ maps.
For Gulberwick, there has been praise logged for the playpark as well as the hall.
One person said they do not want to see streetlights in Gulberwick, while someone else noted the “heap of metal eyesore” on the road near to the church.
Another person also questioned why the road to the beach is only partially tarred.
All of the other comments for Gulberwick made so far relate to transport and roads.
One person said they felt the reduced 50mph limit on the A970 above Gulberwick “feels safer” and there are less “near misses” now at the Black Gaet junction.
Someone else praised the footpath/cyclepath next to the A970, saying they “can’t wait to see it going further”.
There was also a call for solar-powered lights at the bus stop above Gulberwick, with someone saying that drivers cannot always see people waiting in the dark.
There was also concern over blind corners in Gulberwick, while someone said the road between the south Gulberwick junction and Heathery Park should be wider.
As you head south, the majority of comments for Quarff also related to the roads.
One person said ‘no overtaking’ markings on the road are “being ignored often”, which risks collision.
There was also concern expressed about overtaking of bicycles at the corner at the north end of Quarff, with a suggestion for path to be installed in the verge.
Someone also suggested a bus stop at the northern end of Quarff.
Other topics of concern included the width of verges for pedestrians, pavements and the crossing for folk going from Upper Quarff into Easter Quarff.
Only one comment has been left so far for Fladdabister; someone praising the “great” coastal walk there, adding that the history needs protected.
There have also been a range of comments made about Cunningsburgh.
One person lamented the amount of dog poo that is not picked up on the old road at the north end of the village, while someone said there is a piece of unused land to the west of the A970 which would be a good location for a community allotment or garden.
There was praise for the Aithsvoe marina, while one person expressed concern over the speed limit through Cunningsburgh.
It is currently 50mph but the person said it is “too fast” for small children and animals.
Community councillor Pat Christie explained: “We’re lucky to have so many places in our community that people value and want to protect — but we need to record that.
“It might be because of their history, natural beauty, or their importance as a local service or amenity. If we want future generations to enjoy them too, we have to make sure they’re recognised.
“We’re also keen to hear about places where things could be improved — paths that need work, areas where development would be welcome, or spots that frustrate people. Gathering this evidence helps us plan for positive change.”
Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council vice-chair Colin Clark added: “All comments — even conflicting ones — will be included in the Local Place Plan we’ve been tasked with creating, which will help guide future planning decisions by the local authority.
“We also hope this consultation sparks ideas for local projects a development group could take forward — from new paths or adjusted speed limits to community initiatives tackling climate change.
“The maps showing projected coastal erosion over the next 25 years are really concerning, and we need to work together as a community to plan how we respond.”
Geddes added that if people cannot make it to the event on Sunday, the Placecheck maps are a “simple, effective way to give feedback about somewhere that matters to you”.
“We’ve seen how strong local opinion can be on issues like lower speed limits and new paths,” she added.
“If everyone who cares about these things leaves a comment, it gives us clear evidence of community support.”
People can add comments to the maps here:
- www.placecheck.info/maps/gulberwick
- www.placecheck.info/maps/cunningsburgh
- www.placecheck.info/maps/quarff
- www.placecheck.info/maps/fladdabister2
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