Schools row, Sighthill Stones, Kirky library and more – Letters to the Editor – January 23, 2013

COULD somebody please explain how the Primary School Estate consultation process can be classed as open and transparent and that the views of the people will be listened to.

There is an option on the consultation paper for every package to tick ‘no, this is not acceptable’.

Why then was this quote made on the STV News website recently by Council leader Rhondda Geekie: “At this stage it is still an informal process to decide where our new schools will be built and which ones will merge”.

Clearly the decision has already been taken by the council that new schools will be built regardless of the outcome of the informal consultation.

Even if every resident responded ‘no, this is not acceptable’ you have already chosen to ignore this.

Is this correct and can you advise if to your mind this constitutes fair and proper process?

David Bauld

(via e-mail)

I WONDER why the writer of the very long and comprehensive letter re meeting to save Chryston’s Nicolson Centre (Herald, January 16) needed anonymity.

Charles Gray

(via e-mail)

THE Sighthill Stone Circle may not attract hordes of tourists and visitors, but those who do make their way to it are glad they did.

It’s a special place and I for one, all the way over here in Toronto, am glad I made the effort.

Please consider modifying your plans so Sighthill may remain intact.

There are many possibilities and hopefully Glasgow City Council will be open to at least one of them.

Elizabeth Mitchell

(via e-mail)

THE interest in the inadequacy of library services in Kirkintilloch seems to be fading from view, replaced by a grudging sort acceptance, at least with those users I have spoken with.

Meantime, in a recent edition of The Kirkintilloch Herald there was a front page story regarding Councillor Rhonda Geekie giving the Hub a glowing report. She would say that, wouldn’t she?

In all my daytime visits there have been few Hub users around, sometimes none at all.

Little was said regarding the lending library services.

Since the Hub opened in August last year I have visited the library at least twice a week during the day and occasionally in the early evening.

There is no doubt in my mind that the level of library use has diminished from what it was prior to closing for refurbishment last spring.

There must be several reasons for this, but one of the obvious ones is regarding book stock.

Where have all the books from the former library gone?

Numbers of books in stock must have dropped by 800-900, perhaps more.

This might represent, in monetary terms, a value of £10,000 - £12,000 at least.

As someone who “follows” several fiction authors, their disappearance from the new library is frustrating.

On Hogmanay, the library and the cafe were closed, but the Hub services were open.

Needless to say, despite an effort to stop access to the library by a barrier of cafe tables pulled across to deter use, several people were wandering around the unstaffed library having left returned books in piles on the library counter. Perhaps they might have borrowed books too.

This was a poor example of liason of Hub services if ever there was one.

Apparently there are plans to bring new Hub type services to Lennoxtown Library and to Bishobriggs Library (despite the latter having empty council offices nearby at The Triangle).

Residents and library users beware.

Bob Stobie,

Millersneuk Avenue, Lenzie.

MY husband and I took advantage of the unseasonably mild weather on a recent Saturday to head out for a walk along the canal path from The Stables to Bishopbriggs then back to the Stables to sit outside with a coffee - very civilised in January.

However, our enjoyment of our walk was marred by the rudeness of two families of cyclists.

One family was approaching so we called the dog to us and stepped to one side to allow them to cycle freely. Not a thank you, not even an acknowledgement of our action.

The other family approached from the rear with no bells to alert us of their approach. We just noticed them as they nearly crashed into us.

My husband asked the woman why didnt she use her bell-to which her reply-she was now passed us – was to shout “ring-ring”!

The rest of the family caught up, all using the same non-warning method of approach.

I must stress, we also passed and were passed by many cyclists who were courteous and friendly, but as usual the minority give the group a bad name.

I also wonder how the youngsters of these families will grow and learn when the parents do not use, let alone teach them, basic manners and a simple courteous attitude to other users of our lovely countryside.

I would be interested to hear some feedback to my comments.

Ann Marie Nelson

(via e-mail)

WE read your article in the Bishopbriggs Herald (January 9) with considerable interest.

We live in Moorfoot, just off Beymerside, in Bishopbriggs, immediately adjacent is St. Helen’s Primary School and also Bishopbriggs Academy.

Traffic in the area at school opening and closing times is chaotic. Indeed it is only a matter of time before we feel there will be a serious incident.

If an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or fire engine were to try to enter these streets they would find it impossible.

I have already contacted the council and they kindly put ‘Keep Clear’ signs at the corner of Beymerside and Moorfoot.

These, however, are completely ignored by the inconsiderate drivers either dropping off or uplifting children.

This is creating a dangerous situation in an area that is occupied largely by senior citizens.

I would be happy to provide photographic evidence of the dangerous parking if that would help.

It seems that a solution would be to have patrols carried out in the ‘hot spots’, take registration numbers and have traffic authorities take the matter up with the offending drivers.

Bruce Roxburgh

(via e-mail)

EAST Dunbartonshire Council did the right thing in considering the future provision of primary schools in the area.

They also did the right thing in embarking on a consultation process.

Let us hope that they again do the right thing and accept the outcome of the consultation, i.e. an emphatic no to the proposals.

Our primary schools are well situated in the areas which they serve.

This, to a great extent, obviates the need to transport children to school.

Unfortunately some parents still choose to drive their children to school.

This results in a great deal of traffic congestion with associated pollution.

Think how greatly this problem would be exacerbated if one school were to be closed onto another. The congestion would be horrendous.

Meanwhile, the proposed new Morrisons will bring nothing but fumes and traffic congestion to Bishopbriggs.

People using the new facility will simply drive in, do their shopping and leave.

There is no way in which the proposed layout will encourage customers to visit other shops in Bishopbriggs.

Bill Findlay,

Kenmure Drive,

Bishopbriggs.

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