‘Time to stop talking’

‘Changes can only happen with support of everyone’

CHANGES to Lochee High Street’s one-way system can only happen if the whole community backs it.

That’s the view of local councillor Alan Ross who says he’s in no hurry to push ahead with any alterations.

Several traders and community groups in Lochee have blamed the introduction of a one-way system in September 2014 for a downturn in business.

A community action group — Save Our High Street — was set up earlier this year in a bid to help rejuvenate the area after Superdrug and Santander announced closure plans.

It was suggested by the group that returning the High Street to its original two-way traffic flow would help boost business in the area.

But Mr Ross believes that is not a view shared by everyone in Lochee and wants to see the whole community involved in plans going forward.

He added: “I’m meeting with the planners to discuss everything and that includes the High Street.

“As far as I’m concerned, there needs to be a majority of traders and people on board with those changes for them to happen.

“Until now, there’s only been a handful of people who wanted this but actually while I was out campaigning a lot of people said they were happy with what has been done.

“So how do we measure the majority? It’s about everyone in Lochee and before we change anything we need to establish a community forum that’s consulted on everything we do.

“That would include the traders as well as reaching out to the ones in The Stack.”

However, Paul Smith from Lochee Traders Association said he was only interested in action rather than discussions.

He said: “They’re making a lot of nice noises about it but I don’t know if it’s anything more than that.

“They want to get a new traders association set up but we already have a traders group set up although we might not meet as often as we should.

“It’s time to stop talking and just get on with doing what needs to be done.”

Councillor Charlie Malone, who also represents Lochee, added: “It was clear at the previous Save Our High Street meeting that this was a priority.

“They would welcome a rethink on it and are looking for more discussions to take it forward.”

Some people have called for a change to the one-way system in Lochee.

Councillors Malone and Ross.