HGV payment proposal dismissed

A councillor has hit out at a contractor’s plan to pay cash to city communities affected by lorries driving in residential areas.

Dragados promised to give £500 to local community groups each time one of its HGVs was caught travelling along built-up streets while heading to the Bay of Nigg development.

The firm has stipulated that its drivers must follow the official route for deliveries, which includes Hareness Road and the Coast Road.

But residents have complained of their buildings shaking as vehicles passed by their properties without permission on Girdleness Road, Victoria Road, Balnagask Road, Crombie Road and Sinclair Road.

Torry councillor Catriona MacKenzie accused the contractor of missing the point with the initiative.

She said: “I will always welcome more money coming into Torry but an occasional £500 apology doesn’t make up for the inconvenience being caused to residents, and it doesn’t take away the risks this poses to people or damage it could do to the road.

“The council set roads for the harbour develop- ment lorries to take, but they don’t take them.”

Ron Plushkis, chair of Torry Community Council, said: “What they could do is put in the drivers’ employment contracts that they will be fired if they do this.

“Despite being completely legal to do this, they would rather just give us a couple of quid every time it happens.”

Dragados could not be reached for comment.