Town centre under threat
Dear Editor, Last week a notice headed ‘This letter may affect your proprty (sic)’ arrived at the Cathedral Manse. Having been hand delivered at all the properties around that area of Dunblane known as The Cross.
The letter, dated March 17 and from the firm Amey, informs the recipient that “Amey has been commissioned to work with the community to develop proposals that are suited to the heritage and history of the area including the Cathedral, Leighton Library, Dunblane Museum and Braeport Centre”.
This is something which comes as a complete surprise to this trustee of the Leighton Library. As, I believe, it was news to the Cathedral Kirk Session.
Send your letters to: The Editor, Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK8 2DW or email: news@stirlingobserver. co.uk and send any snaps to pictures@ stirlingobserver. co.uk Dear Editor,
The SNP’s outlook on politics took on a new low last week with their council candidate Morag Fulton presenting “uncomfortable facts” as “Labour spin” on these pages (Observer, March 22, 2017).
It is worth repeating the original point from another of their candidates, Alison Laurie. She said in a Stirling Observer letter that “SNP Finance Minister Derek Mackay has delivered an additional £2.85million in funding to Stirling Council’s budget for
Two points occur to me following this encounter. Firstly, Scotland is, like Wales, a two-language devolved area of the UK, with signs in Gaelic and English, and encouragement to make artistic projects and
The purpose of the letter is to invite Sir/Madam to “come along” to one of two private sessions (not exceeding 1hour 15 minutes!) to consider the question: “How would you like to see streets around the Cathedral improved?” And just in case we come unprepared, Amey tell us: “We’ll have plans for you to draw ideas on, boxes to leave comments in and staff on hand to discuss ideas.” How very thoughtful of them.
In truth, SUSTRANS’ involvement guarantees a predictable outcome. Once again, to my mind, it has already decided that Dunblane must have, as stated in Amey’s letter, “better walking and cycling facilities” and more “outdoor meeting spaces”. Despite the obvious disadvantage of fewer parking spaces for residents, visitors 2017/18”. That is not true. Stirling Council’s budget has been cut by £2.6m for 2017-18. That is a fact. I say that. The Labour Group say that. COSLA say that. Audit Scotland say that. Stirling Council’s chief financial officer says that.
Anybody who understands a spreadsheet can see that on the council website. Council budgets pay for road repairs, play park equipment, recycling, libraries and a whole host of other local services we need and value across Stirling. programmes in Gaelic. Secondly, in a very sensitive time when the Brexit agenda is unfolding, both staff and students from abroad, essential to the economics of the University of Stirling, are already experiencing both deep insecurity and unwarranted racial discrimination.
The sign at Airthrey looks insensitive at the least, and unwelcoming at worst, rendering the aforementioned welcome desk a hypocritical inconsistency.
Peter Russell, by email
and traders.
We have been here before. Businesses near the railway station including, crucially, the Post Office, continue to suffer loss of business as a result of parking amenity lost to unnecessarily wide pavements and ill thought out regulations. Just ask those traders.
If we are not careful Dunblane town centre will become a husk of its former self. Before we concede further changes, we must have proof that implementation will not discourage residents from patronising the businesses there; whatever the weather. Not just when the sun shines and cyclists and visitors might happen to come.
Ian Stein Dunblane
With five weeks to go until the council elections, Stirling’s SNP candidates need to be honest about Stirling Council funding.
Stirling needs councillors who will stand up for Stirling; the SNP candidates won’t even stand up to their own party and the damage the SNP are doing to local services.
Councillor Johanna Boyd Labour Leader of Stirling Council