Save Aberdeen's amenity woodlands for families, runners, mountain bikers, orienteers and horse riders

Aim
The aim of this petition is to ask the First Minister and Transport Scotland to enable the people of Aberdeen to continue using their woodlands and open-air access spaces without the intrusion of traffic noise and without exposure to traffic fumes.

Background and Social Importance
The amenity woodlands on the periphery of Aberdeen have, over many decades, made a significant contribution to the quality of life of Aberdeen residents. They provide spaces where everyone can go for recreation in a clean and peaceful environment. They are used for family walks, running, cycling, orienteering and riding. A popular hill race series, the Krunces, is held in the Rotten O’Gairn and Kingshill Wood on the first Tuesday of every month from April to September. Many hundreds of Aberdeen runners have enjoyed the challenge of participation in these races over the years.

Threat
All of these spaces are currently under threat from the currently proposed course of the AWPR, with the impact most severe on Kirkhill Forest and Kingshill Wood at Rotten O’Gairn. It is proposed that the road should go through a part of the Kirkhill Forest and brush the edge of the Kingshill Wood. Kirkhill is described by the Forestry commission as a “green lung” of the City of Aberdeen.
See: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/WildWoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandAberdeenshireAberdeenWoodsKirkhill

Other open-air access spaces threatened would be Brimmond Hill, owned by the people of Aberdeen since it was gifted by Robert the Bruce in 1319.

Those undertaking exercise, such as hill running and mountain biking, take in very large lung-fulls of air. The risk of asthma caused by particulates and traffic fumes therefore becomes much greater.

It is claimed that traffic noise and fumes would be mitigated by tree planting. The Kirkhill Forest and Elrick Country Park are already bisected by the Inverness Road at the Tyrebagger. Traffic noise makes the parts of these woodlands in proximity to the road unpleasant in comparison with the woodlands away from the road. This demonstrates the minimal value of tree barriers.

In Summary
As a supporter of healthy lifestyles the First Minister should see these spaces as valuable and worthy of protection.