Rail bosses are taking us for fools

Dear Editor, Regarding the proposed Kerse Road closure, I am afraid the Observer’s petition is merely playing into the hands of Network Rail.

They will appear to succumb to public pressure and reduce the time slightly which they have no doubt allowed for from the outset.

They will then portray themselves as the good guys and the Observer will also be seen as champion of the people.

Why can’t we see that we are being taken for fools? Network Rail’s loyalty is solely to the railway and to cause no disruption to rail service – they do not give twopence for Stirling traders or public.

They propose to do the work through the night when no trains are running which will probably be around a four-hour shift by the time they set up every night.

This goes a long way into explaining the one-year time scale.

Safety reasons are being touted as the reason that they can’t lower the track.

The price being mentioned for this is circa £6 million - for this price, competent engineers can solve any issues. If it was practical and achievable to lower the track at tunnels at Dunblane, Winchburgh and Glasgow Queen Street then surely doing this under such a small bridge would not present too much of a problem.

Oh! but wait - the trains would be disrupted - Ah! but they could work a full 24-hour day and speed things up.

Come on Stirling Council and local politicians - do your job and stand up for our city - we can’t afford this road to close for any time at all

John Hardie, Owner, Lasting Impressions Signs, Springkerse