Megacity undone

According to a report this week by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Aberdeen needs to double its workforce by 2022 as a shortage of skilled workers in the oil and gas industry is allegedly threatening the city’s future as a global energy capital.

What is challenging is that the report suggests a large part of this workforce shall relocate to the Aberdeen area from elsewhere. The new recruits will
presumably need to be housed and shall be in competition for housing with those already ­living here.

Some would say the city and surrounding areas are already becoming over-run with housing developments. It is now generally accepted that certain cities can become so large as to be unmanageable with regard to the provision of services and road infrastructures.

Assuming the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route gets built and it takes three or four years to complete, within seven years of opening it is more than likely to become unfit for purpose because of the increase in traffic due to the doubling of the workforce.

I shall, no doubt, be classed by many as a progress stopper. However, I would hope that my observations might be looked upon as having more than a hint of realism.

RT Smith

Braeside Terrace

Aberdeen