Wasted potential
Police station axe slammed by ex-cllr
The potential closure of Cambuslang Police Station has been criticised by the man who performed the official opening 23 years ago.
Andy McGowan, a former councillor in Cambuslang, was one of several politicians who fought for the station.
His efforts bore fruit in 1994 when he performed the opening alongside deputy chief constable Peter Mitchell and inspector Alan Pert.
But Andy, who grew up just yards from the old station in Kirk Street, reckons it has never fulfilled its potential in the town.
He said: “We needed a police station in the area and the help we got in the campaign was unbelievable.
“It is still necessary now but it has never been utilised properly.
“Everything should be done to save it. Cambuslang requires a police station.”
We reported last week that Police Scotland had written to elected members and community groups asking for opinions on the closure of Cambuslang station.
Although the station has been closed to the public for three years, concerns have been raised by community groups.
Cambuslang Community Council has written a formal objection to the proposed closure.
At their meeting last week treasurer John Bachtler said: “When police are physically based in a community they have a completely different relationship with the people and there is research to support that.
“I think the centralisation of Police Scotland is going in exactly the opposite direction.”
And Halfway Community Council will write to Police Scotland telling them it would make more sense to close Rutherglen.
At a meeting last week, chair Dougie Baird said: “Cambuslang was purpose built while Rutherglen must be in the region of 50 years old.
“Rutherglen is also a lot closer to Aikenhead Road. I think it makes more sense, other than the fact we don’t want to lose any stations, that Cambuslang should be kept open and utilised properly.”
However, Inspector Jim Gillespie of Rutherglen Police moved this week to reassure the public.
He said: “Whilst it is right that we review our estate to ensure we are making the best use of our available resources, I can categorically state that there will be no withdrawal of policing services either within the Cambuslang or Rutherglen areas.
“We continually review our operating model to ensure we have the right resources in the right places at the right time. An essential part of this is a visible and accessible community policing team working closely with partners and the local community to address issues affecting each area. Consultation is on-going about the potential closure of Cambuslang police office and whilst no final decision has yet been made about this, I can provide reassurance police officers will be remaining and deployed in the local community.”