Change is in the air for EK West
Two new faces are guaranteed this term
There is guaranteed to be new councillors in East Kilbride West – with both Labour’s Janice McGinlay and Graham Simpson of the Conservatives stepping down.
With that said, SNP candidate David Watson will mark his 25th year of representing his local area if re-elected on May 4.
He feels his track record speaks for itself and aims to keep up his involvement in both local schools and community projects.
“I am a firm believer in community politics,” he said.
“Over the years I have been involved in both large and small campaigns ranging from a campaign to stop a tyre-burning facility being built next to Hairmyres Hospital to campaigns about school zoning and placing requests.
“There are undoubted major challenges facing local government in the future – important issues like social work, education and improving community facilities.
“I will ensure that local residents are fully engaged and consulted on local proposals such as new developments within the area, the park and ride facility for Hairmyres Station and the proposed dualling of Stewartfield Way.”
Ali Salamati is the second SNP candidate and brings over 25 years experience of serving on boards of local and national charitable organisations to the table.
He is committed to delivering a South Lanarkshire Council that engages positively with local residents and is keen to use his knowledge and life experiences to improve the quality of life for residents of East Kilbride West.
“I’m a firm believer in empowering communities,” he said. “I will ensure local residents are fully engaged and consulted on local proposals such as new developments within the area, the park-and-ride facility for Hairmyres Station and the proposed dualling of Stewartfield Way.”
Ian Harrow will be standing for the Conservatives and hopes to continue the work of Mr Simpson by representing all the people of East Kilbride West.
“The main areas of concern that have been raised by residents are the possible conversion of Stewartfield Way into a dual carriageway which I have opposed from the start of my campaign,” he said, “and the problem of congestion in streets near Hairmyres Station due to inadequate parking there.
“Other issues are the maintenance of hedges and shrubs in public areas as well as dog fouling, which upsets many people. Having lived in East Kilbride all my life, I have seen the many changes that have taken place in the town, mostly for the best, and I believe that it is the job of councillors to maintain that quality of life that people in the town have come to expect.”
Monique McAdams, who has lived in East Kilbride all her life, will hope to secure another seat for the Labour Party in West and commits to improving public services after securing the backing of Old Firm legends Ally McCoist and John Hartson.
She said: “Every day, through my work with the East Kilbride Community Trust, I am dedicated to helping and supporting families facing the challenges of children living with disability and terminal illness.
“We need effective programmes to give our young people the opportunity of attaining good quality jobs, to replace those lost with the loss of major employers like Rolls-Royce and Motorola. We need to ensure that our elderly community have the services in place that they need and deserve.
“And we must address the inadequate parking facilities at Hairmyres Station, which affects not just residents but hospital patients, visitors and staff.”
The Liberal Democrats will be represented on the ballot by Ewan McRobert, who has lived in East Kilbride all his whole life.
“I’m concerned that there continues to be a push for more houses with little thought for amenities,” he said, “East Kilbride is becoming a developers’ paradise.
“The recent closure of Stewartfield Farm and the plan to build homes in its place is a big blow for the community.
“I’m worried the proposed dual carriageway for Stewartfield could ruin the tranquillity of one of its existing amenities, the James Hamilton Heritage Park. Also, existing councillors have also been slow to act at Hairmyres Hospital where the parking situation continues to impact on patients.”
Billy McLean from the Green Party hopes to put the town at the heart of decisions.
He continued: “An example of where this has gone badly wrong recently is with council proposals to dual the Stewartfield Way.
“The council, supported with cash from the SNP at Holyrood and Tories at Westminster, decided to fund two new road projects in East Kilbride.
These will generate more traffic, more pollution and more congestion and have a major impact on local green spaces.
“I will campaign to shift that cash to proper investment in the public transport, car clubs, park and ride and safe walking and cycling infrastructure so desperately needed across the ward.”