Milngavie anti-terror railings could be removed
AN 'IRON curtain' of railings surrounding Milngavie's scenic reservoir look a step closer to being removed.
Eight years ago the railings were erected as a deterrent against terrorist attacks — but the local community didn't accept them, claiming they would be no protection against attack.
Milngavie MSP Des McNulty started the campaign for the removal of the railings and the then Milngavie MP, Tony Worthington, took up the matter with the Home Office.
Mr Worthington pointed out an enterprising schoolboy with a catapult could fire poison pellets over the railings and Phillip Graves of Strathblane Community Council said they were as useful as a leather shield against a machine gun and made the once beautiful reservoir embankment look like a detention centre, branding it "Barlinnie-upon- the-Water."
Scottish Water has been in negotiations with Government officials on what alternative measures can be put in place to protect the treatment works in order that the fences can be removed.
However, although there has been agreement in principle that changes can be made to the security measures — there has been no detail either from the security services or from Scottish Water.
Mr McNulty told the Herald this week: "Local people will want to know whether all the fences will be taken down or whether only some of them can be removed.
"I still can't see what possible threat the fences are providing protection against.
"The people of Milngavie were assured that when the new waterworks came on stream, the sophisticated filtration process would mean there would no longer be any requirement for these unsightly railings.
"So far the UK government has not withdrawn or modified the existing directive, despite pressure from myself and MP Jo Swinson. It just seems like a catch 22.
"If all the elected politicians keep the pressure up on the authorities, eventually we will get a sensible solution. But it is hard to see why such a straightforward thing is taking so long."
Jo Swinson MP who has also urged the Home Office to give permission for the removal of security fences and said: "There has been very little public information on what is going on, and a great deal of confusion on who is responsible for getting the fences removed.
"Though no light has been shed on what are the threats to the reservoir, I am pleased that an agreement has now been reached with Scottish Water on what protective measures can be put in place in order that the fences can be taken down.
"I am urging the Home Office to act as quickly as possible in issuing a new directive so that these eyesores can be removed for good."
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Weather for Milngavie
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
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Light rain
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