Worries ‘falling on deaf ears’
Fearful locals are being left in the dark over how the impact of a six-month closure of the Kerse Road bridge can be eased, say Tory councillors.
The Conservatives say that after “months of prevarication and poor communication from Network Rail and Stirling Council”, many people have been left with no idea what is happening or how the huge traffic disruption will be handled.
While the go-ahead for the replacement of the bridge has already been given, mitigation measures have still to be decided by councillors later this month.
Conservative Councillor Bryan Flannagan who represents the Stirling East Ward, said: “Having spoken with many residents who live near to these roads that will soon become the only thoroughfare to and from the city centre, the general feeling is that their concerns are falling on deaf ears.
“I live near to one of these already busy roads and have no confidence that there is enough time for suitable measures to be taken.
“My main priority is to ensure the safety of all the constituents I represent and, at present, I believe there are fundamental questions that must be answered before we simply open the floodgates and react to what happens.”
Stirling East Labour councillor Chris Kane said, however: “I’m not going to let anybody do anything that compromises road safety in my community.
“Network Rail and Stirling Council have been working hand in hand with Braehead Community Council on measures to mitigate the effects of increased volume of traffic, including new crossings and better signs along the Pike Road-Broom Road-Linden Avenue corridor. Crucially, ongoing monitoring of the situation will ensure a quick reaction if additional measures are required.
“We’re all concerned about the increase in traffic and we all have to work together to keep everybody safe.”
The Tories also say residents and businesses are afraid and confused by the recent decision to approve an application for a new Kerse Road bridge.
Stirling Council’s planning panel, including Tory councillor Douglas Dodds, unanimously approved the replacement of the bridge as part of Network Rail’s railway electrification project last month.
However, a decision on the road closure and mitigation measures to ease its impact won’t be considered until a special meeting of the environment and housing committee on September 26.
The Tories added that local traders had already began to voice their concerns, with those who rely on the traffic links for their livelihood beginning to question whether any action will be taken to ensure their survival, or what can be done to make a real difference.
Conservative group leader Councillor Neil Benny said: “My colleagues and I are receiving a high amount of correspondence from business owners of all sizes who are not convinced that this administration or Network Rail have their best interests at heart.
“The new administration has a duty to ensure the needs of Stirling’s businesses and residents come before those of Network Rail or indeed the Scottish Government’s Key Performance Targets.
“I am not convinced any businesses have been consulted properly, if at all, over this decision and so it is imperative their needs are listened to, to prevent needless damage being done to our economy.”
Environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson, however, said: “Elected members have been invited to a number of meetings and briefing sessions with Network Rail to discuss the proposed plan of works. Community councils have been kept informed and are aware of the mitigation measures proposed around the Kerse Road Bridge works.
“A further briefing session has been arranged for Monday, September 18, to which elected members whose wards are affected by the works have been invited.
“As agreed previously, the decision on the road closure and traffic mitigation will be taken by the Environment and Housing Committee at a future date.”
General feeling is that concerns are falling on deaf ears