Milton view Misplaced roads concern
Dear Editor I read with interest Clare Haughey’s article in last week’s paper regarding roads at Station Road and Glasgow Road.
I appreciate Clare’s concerns. I did not agree with her comment that the councillors have done nothing. This is not true.
If Clare is concerned with any issues in Blantyre then I am more than willing to work with her for the good of the Blantyre community. If she has concerns please bring them to my attention. I have served the Blantyre community for 15 years and on most occasions achieved positive results, as has my colleague Councillor Mo Razzaq.
In 2016/ 2017 it is expected we will spend £615,036 on carriageway and footway works in Blantyre. Residents raised concerns over the crossing at Glasgow Road to gain access to Lidl. We got a new crossing installed. Same at Glasgow Road crossing to Devlin Grove: we had a new crossing installed.
Station Road, at councillors’ request, has been monitored on several occasions over last two years. Unfortunately the criteria for speed humps was not met. Nonetheless we will continue tp monitor this area.
Parking does remain a problem. There has been significant investment in a new park’n’ride facility at Station Road. Requests for parking permits have been refused. The council are not issuing any new ones. We can revisit requests in the future.
Illegal parking is a problem. If anyone parks on yellow lines or blocks a driveway then it is a police matter. They have the power to deal with it.
I reiterate any resident with concerns can contact Councillor Mo Razzaq or Councillor Bert Thomson. If you contact our MSP then we will be more than willing to work in unison to assist residents in Blantyre.
Cllr Bert Thomson Dear Editor
Lanarkshire firms must make their voice heard in the official review of the business rates system or risk a £17m tax hike.
Former RBS boss Ken Barclay is currently leading a Scottish Government review of the rates system. While we believe that the system needs modernised, we can’t see smaller firms in Biggar, Cumbernauld, Hamilton or Motherwell landed with big, unaffordable bills.
More than 8000 local premises in Lanarkshire benefited from the small business bonus scheme last year, resulting in nearly £17m worth of help.
However, critics say the scheme should be abolished, putting businesses and jobs at risk.
Businesses can let Mr Barclay know how important rates relief is to their business and its future at www.gov. scot/business rates
Tony Higgins, Chairman, Lanarkshire Federation Small Businesses Dear Editor
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we are asking your readers to take on the £170 challenge to make a real difference to the lives of children with cancer.
£170 is the grant children and young people’s cancer charity Clic Sargent gives to families when a child is diagnosed with cancer.
As well as the often devastating emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, the resulting financial impact can be huge. Costs go up and income often goes down.
Our £170 grants provide help to cope with immediate costs such as petrol, household bills and parking to stop cancer costs spiralling.
In 2015/16 Clic Sargent was able to provide £1.1 million in grants. 90 grants were given out across Lanarkshire. With your help we can continue providing this practical support to ease the financial burden of childhood cancer.
There are lots of ways you can take on the £170 challenge. Maybe you could harness the power of cake and hold a baking competition or cake and coffee morning? Why not keep it simple with a collection or dressdown day at work or school? Or you could make a bold move and take part in our Big Buzz event by shaving or cutting your hair.
We’d love to see as many people as possible taking on the £170 challenge in September. To find out more about fundraising for children with cancer contact Katie Grier, fundraising manager, on 0141 572 5700.
To find out more about Clic Sargent visit www.clicsargent.org.uk.
Katie Grier