Newbridge timetable
Stirling’s Kerse Road could be closed or partially closed for 15 months during work to replace the bridge there, the Observer has learned.
The work is now due to start in August and will take until November of next year to complete unless ways of speeding up the project are found.
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A takeaway worker who was victim of a vile hate crime says instances of racist abuse are becoming more frequent – and fears they are being fuelled by recent terror attacks.
Suneer Ookayal, who has worked in Taste Budz on Maxwell Place for more than a decade, insists he has to put up with abuse on an almost daily basis. Police in Stirling issued an appeal for information after the 35-year-old was targeted by a thug who entered the takeaway and shouted offensive comments at around 10pm last Wednesday (May 31).
And he fears such instances are being driven by people out looking for someone to blame in the aftermath of terror attacks in Manchester and London.
The Observer reported last week that a Syrian family had their home in Tillicoultry targeted by brickthrowing vandals.
And a mindless bigot hurled racist abuse towards another man while leaning out the window of a car travelling in Fallin on Monday evening.
Mr Ookayal, who is originally from India but has lived in
Stirling for 14 years, contacted the police after a man, described as white and in his mid-twenties, confronted him.
He told the Observer: “I was in the takeaway when the guy came in shouting ‘you Paki b ****** ’ and ‘I’m going to bomb the Mosque’.
“I could tell that he wanted an argument – he was trying to force me to argue back. I just reported it straight away.
“This has been happening more and more. I would say we get it around five times each week. It’s common to me now – it’s getting worse.
“I don’t engage with it usually. I just say I’m not serving them and ask them to leave the shop.
“Most people are happy and cheery but there are others who want to argue.”
He added: “I think they are just picking on anyone. They want someone to blame for what has happened in London and Manchester and they are picking on people because of their skin colour.
“I now feel as if I’m not safe. Our door is open to the public so anyone can come in. All we are trying to do is to give the best service we can to people.”
Shortly after the incident police issued a public appeal for information in a bid to identify the male responsible.
He is described as slim build and wearing a cap, hooded top and tracksuit bottoms – all blue in colour – on the evening of the incident. He was also carrying a bag. The man was then seen in possession of a shopping trolley on Murray Place where he spoke to a woman at a taxi rank before walking off onto Port Street.
Constable Ian Marshall said: “The comments made to the staff at this premises were completely unacceptable and we are pursuing various lines of local inquiries to trace the male responsible.
“We are treating this incident as a hate crime and anyone who believes they can assist with our investigation is urged to contact police immediately.
“Police Scotland is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms and anyone found to be involved in offences of this nature will be robustly dealt with.”
Those with information can contact Stirling Police on 101 quoting incident number 4339 of May 31 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
At around 6.10pm on Monday a man standing in Hillview Place in Fallin was targeted by a racist thug leaning out of the passenger seat of a black Vauxhall car.
The man responsible is described as being around 25 years-of-age with short dark hair.
Police enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact officers quoting CF0077980617.
The Observer reported last week that a brick was thrown through the window of a house occupied by a Syrian family, on Chapelle Crescent, at 12.25am on Thursday May 25 – three days after the Manchester terror attack.
No one was injured but police are treating it as a hate crime. Children were within the house at the time of the attack.