N.I.M.B.Y. Or not ?

Nimby
noun {C} ABBREVIATION FOR
not in my back yard: a person who does not want something unpleasant to be built or done near where they live:

This one word seems to summarize the observed attitudes towards the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Bypass but there is more to be read into this conundrum than stereotypical suburbanite attitudes.

Even though I am at least 350 miles away drinking a coffee whilst on a break between appointments I initially was riled at this inherent attitude towards development until I delved further into the problems affecting it.

The roads network in and around Aberdeen is capable, yet there is definitely room for improvement. When you consider it takes me circa 45 minutes to travel into town outwith rush-hour and at least 75 mins during peak times the 30 minute increase for the last five miles is beginning to get tedious. Thank god I'm down in Manchester til Sunday.

Such congestion problems affecting both the thoughput of traffic into Aberdeen and further north brought about the requirement for a peripheral bypass like those seen in Edinburgh, Manchester, Perth and nearly every other major city on the British road network.

What I cannot understand is why the current choice of route was picked. The route through Camphill may be construed as politically incorrect as the Camphill community does fantastic work for challenged people within its capacious grounds. But when you consider the current routes implications for many a home-owner compared to the relatively few Camphill residents the current route doesn't tally at all. Was the decision due to a senior official having a relative on the original route ? That's a question a parliamentary enquiry would answer fully.

It appears the Milltimber residents are stuck with their route and also the title of being NIMBYs. Neither was their choice more the choice of ill informed bureaucrat but there still needs to be progress towards the creation of the bypass. Some might say "Well as it is the affluent area that it is, a couple of thousand won't hurt their pockets too much" and "Cities expand and green belt gets swallowed... that's a fact of life" and then harp on about the exhaust fumes emitted by the moving traffic using the bypass surely wont affect people as much as the emissions from the stationary traffic currently experienced during rush-hour thoughout Aberdeen. These reasons may have pushed forward the planning of the bypass routes. But what is required is mainly transparency with regard to the decision making processes generating the route options, a balanced solution to the route problem and a good dose of common sense.

I'm all in favour of progress and the sacrifices that go along with it but it seems that the many are being affected because of the few in this case, no matter how deserving they are.

The situation needs to be addressed in this manner as the economic benefits are definitely something that should not be overlooked especially with regard to the downturn of the Oil & Gas market and decreasing population predictions.

Life requires a balance both with regard to the media spin applied to this development and also the sacrifices required to loosen the congestion experienced thoughout the City.

Bring on the bypass though the most realistic and sensible route and lets move forward...