20mph limitsare inplace

A number of South Lanarkshire town centres have this week have introduced a temporary 20mph speed limit.

The areas will be monitored and following consultation a decision will be taken on whether the speed limits will become permanent.

The six towns involved in this pilot initiative are Bothwell, Carluke, Lanark, Larkhall, Strathaven and Uddingston.

Chairman of South Lanarkshire Council’s community and enterprise resources committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “These 20mph cordons in six of our town centres will help encourage active travel as vehicles will be moving slower through the areas.

“We will introduce signage around the areas affected and other measures will also be put in place moving forward to try and change driver behaviour.

“We want to be clear that driving at 20mph is the right thing to do in any town centre area and would encourage all road users to comply with the new limits.”

A Hamilton woman has been commended for her outstanding community efforts through work at the Co-op.

Maria Smith has gone above and beyond in looking after residents in her Community Lead role during the pandemic, as well as driving charity fundraisers for local causes.

The Co-op store in Mill Road raised over £8000 in 2020, which Maria was instrumental in.

The Co-op’s chosen charity last year was the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and the Hamilton store raised £3180. Maria arranged raffles, sponsored walks and cycles to drive funds.

During the Christmas week, the store teamed up with the Eddlewood Community Group with £250 worth of hampers as well as 500 selection boxes which were delivered to local children.

The shop is also helping Chatelherault Primary School’s parent teacher association with a fundraiser to provide a sensory room for children with autism, which is still ongoing.

Maria was honoured to receive her award. She said:“when I received the recognition award I was overwhelmed and delighted.

“I feel proud of what we do as a team for our local community in Hamilton and was surprised to be recognised for it to be honest, as it’s just what we do in the Co-op.”

Store manager Anne Marie Mckenzie added:“as a store we do a lot of community work and Maria has took on the role as Community Lead, so she organises a lot of the work in the store.

“It’s great to see her get the recognition she deserves for everything she has done. She’s went over and above within her role to support the local community.

“She’s been instrumental in everything we’ve done.

“Maria is loved by all the customers, she’s really good and very personable with our customers.

“I’m very proud to have somebody like Maria working with us in the store.

“We’re there to serve the community, and especially with the pandemic we’re there for them and helping them.”

New causes for 2021 are the Rocca Foundation as well as another mental health charity.