Work to resume on Aberdeen path at centre of repairs row

Repairs to an Aberdeen footpath which were halted amid a row over who owned the land are to resume.

Repairs to the Wellington Brae path, costing about £200,000, were suspended for an investigation after it emerged proper approval had not been granted.

The land belongs to the father of former finance convener Willie Young.

At the communities, housing and infrastructure committee, councillors agreed to press ahead with the repairs on safety grounds.

The Liberal Democrat group brought forward an amendment to instruct officers to recover costs from the owner of a wall involved in the repairs for which he is liable.

This was voted against, nine to eight.

Willie Young was the council's finance convener

The investigation report is not due to be completed until September.

Aberdeen City Council admitted a "serious failing" in April after the repairs were ordered without proper approval.

The project was to have been fully funded by cycling charity Sustrans.

It awarded just over £21,000 for preliminary work, with the full funding to be paid when the work was completed.

Mr Young lost his seat at the local government elections.