Keep lights on at Whirlies

Dear Editor, With reference to the article about the removal of the control lights (Lights out at the Whirlies?, January 4), I really cant believe that anyone, never mind a majority, propose the removal of the control lights.

Anyone exiting the Calderwood Road and the East Mains Road will testify that the sequence of lights from the other junctions, the height and blindsiding allow the cars from the other entrances to build up too much speed, which can be very hairy.

And without the control lights it will only be a matter of time before there are accidents so please keep the lights on. Harry Walsh, via email

Dear Editor, With regards to the debate about traffic lights at Whirlies roundabout, they must have been installed for a reason.

This is the busiest section in East Kilbride and it is important that it is properly managed.

If traffic flow is the issue then perhaps there could be better sequencing of the lights in order to keep people moving? name and address supplied

Raillineelectrification Dear Editor,

As the Network Rail spokesman said (On the wrong track, January 4) last year’s Scottish Route Study includes the East Kilbride line in their rolling programme of electrification.

For the East Kilbride line this will involve the replacement of several bridges to create sufficient clearance, a second platform at East Kilbride station and sections of double track or loops between Hairmyres and Busby stations.

The indicative costs for the 14 miles of track on the East Kilbride/ Barrhead lines is £150 million to £300m in the 2019-2029 period and a final determination is due to be made in 2018 as to whether or not the East Kilbride line is included, not postponed to the next control period stretching to 2043.

Trains from Clarkston during the morning rush hour are being expected to take more than 100 per cent of their standing capacity loading. One of the proposals from the Scottish Government in the report is for limitedstop trains at this time.

Responsibility for Network Rail falls principally to the UK Government and I know that both Dr Lisa Cameron MP and Linda Fabiani MSP were fully aware of the implications for East Kilbride of Network Rail’s Scottish Route Study when it was published last year.

What surprises me is that there was virtually no mention of the Scottish Route Study in the press.

Around 43 per cent of responses to the original consultation came from members of the public. Many called for electrification of the East Kilbride line. South Lanarkshire Council also made a response to the effect that they had commissioned a report on increasing parking capacity at Hairmyres Station.

Not before time, say I, especially when one considers the extensive parking available at Hamilton West compared to the postage stamp-sized one at Hairmyres. However, details were not available at that time because they were still in draft.

Maybe the current Labour administration can come clean and release details. I suspect that this may involve a costly multi-storey car park.

Of course, they would not be in this position had they not entered into a daft excambion arrangement in the first place so that flats could be built on the land they owned at Hairmyres and they had zoned all the land adjoining Hairmyres Station for car parking.