The number of deaths and serious injuries on Scotland's roads fell to their lowest level for more than 50 years in 2007, according to latest statistics. Read More...

Figures just released by the Scottish Government show Scotland had a current budget surplus in the last two financial years. The most recent surplus is said to be £837 million, compared with a UK deficit of £4.3 billion. Read More...

Are we actually going to see some action over one of Scotland's worst traffic black spots? The infamous Haudagain roundabout has been accused of costing the country between £15 and £30 million in lost time, delayed deliveries and wasted fuel, let alone the undoubted diversion of trade away from Aberdeen.

Anyone who lives in the area is aware that the Haudagain is an undoubted disincentive to travelling into the city centre to do business. Suddenly, doing business elsewhere, or on the internet, seems much more attractive.

So we have a proposed solution. But will it work?

The solution being put forward is not a flyover. It does not even involve any changes to the existing Haudagain roundabout!
In short it is the cheapest of the options.

Most of the people I have spoken to reckoned the junction needed a flyover to work better. But the argument against a flyover was that it would be a massive structure like the Friarton Bridge!

I have heard of exaggeration, but, frankly, that is ridiculous!

The Friarton Bridge runs high above the Tay Valley outside Perth. A flyover need be no more than, say 20 feet above the surface or, in the case of an underpass it could even be at ground level.

The proposed scheme is to do nothing with the Haudagain roundabout. Instead the transport planners propose to add two new traffic light controlled junctions on the A90 and A96. (Yes, I know what you are thinking... 'isn't that going to make things worse?"). These two new junctions will be connected by a link road through Middlefield.

What we wanted to see was an effective and radical solution that befits a country and a region that wishes to demonstrate a determination to be a "competitive place" for international business and more world headquarters to locate.

Instead, I can see potential international investors continuing to shake their heads in disbelief at this example of our inability to really tackle our transport infrastructure needs, as they continue to hit the interminable queues on the way to and from our disconnected international airport.

I there is not a rethink on the plans, all I can fervently (and genuinely) hope is that I am proven wrong and that it works a treat. But, I am not confident.

Donald Trump added an element of show business to the normally staid atmosphere of a public inquiry. His motorcade arrived at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Tuesday and the star of the show strode through the door, surrounded by some 40 television cameras, journalists and photographers. Read More...

The Accounts Commission report into the financial state of Aberdeen City Council is yet another blow to Aberdeen City and Shire's reputation, coming, as it does, hot on the heels of the Trump debacle. Read More...

Sounds a bit like a promotion for a competition, doesn't it? But we could all be having fun with our money soon, even if we only have loose change. Read More...

Isn't it funny how the Prime Minister and Chancellor suddenly remember the importance of Aberdeen as the centre of the UK oil and gas industry when they need a favour? Where were they when the industry was calling for help to extend the life of the North Sea? Where were they when the industry was pleading for an equitable tax regime? Where were they when we were pleading for investment in our infrastructure to support the industry? Read More...

I normally don't pay a huge amount of attention to email funnies, but this one I did like. See what you think. Read More...

The rally yesterday - albeit organised by the Labour Party - cannot be dismissed as purely a political stunt. It shows the depth of anger in the city about the £27 million cuts and how they will impact on the most vulnerable members of Aberdeen's society. It matters not whether it is Aberdeen City Council who have brought this financial crisis on, or whether it is a desperately unfair system that means Aberdeen gets £320 less per head than any other local authority in Scotland. Read More...

It seems there is more to these £27 million cuts in Aberdeen City than meets the eye. Many of us may take issue with the services that the councillors have chosen as the target for their axe, but there seems to be a basic unfairness in the way Aberdeen City Council is funded. Read More...

Aberdeen City Council's announcement of £27 million of cuts in its budget has caused shock tremors throughout the city and further afield.

The initial headlines concentrated on the loss of the Bon Accord Baths and the Lynx Ice Rink. However, as time has gone on, there has been growing shock at how deeply the cuts may impact on Aberdeen's most vulnerable citizens. Read More...

You have to hand it to the politicians. They really know how to screw things up good and proper sometimes. Donald Trump is clearly not a man known for having endless patience. He wanted to build "the world's greatest links golf course" here in the North East of Scotland.

I'm sure that even he would not have expected the proposal to get the green light without due scrutiny. But he could never have expected to get lost in the dither and prevarication that is the British planning system. Read More...

Patio heaters are the latest target for the beuocrats in the EU. Apparently they are not environmentally friendly enough. But, are there not issues about restricting personal freedom? Read More...

Which is the bigger oil producer? Kuwait or the UK? The answer may surprise you. It also raises questions about why our politicians are not supporting and sustaining the North Sea industry for the future.
Read More...

The National Planning Framework has gone out for consultation. It identifies nine infrastructure developments of national significance. Guess what? None of them are in Aberdeen City and Shire! Read More...