TALKING POLITICS Well done to weather-beaters

As the weather is slowly getting back to something a bit more spring-like, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the unsung heroes who worked hard over the recent spell of bad weather to ensure that the people of North Lanarkshire were safe.

The emergency services were their usual outstanding selves helping those in desperate situations across the area.

I have to praise the dedication of healthcare staff who struggled into work at the county’s hospitals and out into the community. These wonderful folk put the needs of others way above their own safety when braving the weather conditions that had so many of us staying in our homes.

Also due recognition are the North Lanarkshire Council employees who worked tirelessly to keep roads open, where possible, and grit bins full, as well as keeping as many services running as they could.

As ever, the workforce who were able to went above and beyond. And while there have been some specific issues that I have raised with the council, their handling of what was an incredibly severe weather episode was good.

Thankfully, the vast majority of people heeded the severe red and amber “do not travel” warnings which minimised the disruption and meant roads that needed clearing were given swifter attention than would otherwise have been the case.

A further debt of gratitude must go to the 4x4 drivers who volunteered to take nursing staff to and from hospitals; it is wonderful when people pull together for the greater good.

It was this type of voluntary community work in particular, alongside the response of our public services, which is so heartening.

Alex Neil MSP and I recently had a teleconference with two high-level executives from Royal Bank of Scotland regarding the pending closure of the Airdrie branch.

While the bank seems to be sticking to its line that the facility is not used enough to warrant keeping it open, Mr Neil and I, along with many other SNP politicians whose constituencies have been affected, have asked for RBS to make the figures that they have used to determine closures public, not only for the condemned branches but for those that will remain open.

We will all continue to fight for RBS customers’ rights. People who have been loyal customers for many years should not be forced to travel miles to do their banking or have to resort to using online facilities.

This move is quite shortsighted as a great deal may well transfer their accounts to rival banks or building societies.

I will keep everyone posted on just how this pans out, hopefully with a positive outcome for Airdrie and the other 61 threatened branches.

These wonderful folk put the needs of others way above their own safety when braving the weather conditions

In their debt The 4x4 drivers did a wonderful job of getting hospital staff to work