Blowing our own trumpet

Dear Editor

With regard to the article “Plans for link road in Stirling” in the Observer (November 7), I agree that there are many benefits to the overall proposals for the “city centre south” area, especially improving pedestrian and cycling facilities and making the city centre streets safer and more pleasant for locals and visitors.

However, Stirling Council insists that the proposed new link road through the Viewforth site is essential to allow traffic reduction in the city centre, as part of the inner city ring road.

There is no evidence that this would be the case; if anything, it could increase traffic and congestion around Linden Avenue roundabout, Snowdon Place, etc.

Furthermore, the link project will be disproportionately expensive due to the engineering requirements of negotiating a steep sand bank, right next to a locally important listed building (Langarth House). The money could be much better spent on the real problem areas in the south of Stirling.

Pedestrian and cycling routes could be much improved without the link road.

The proposed housing developments on the Viewforth site and around the Linden roundabout would be more viable without the link road and Langarth House would be more attractive to buyers (perhaps a new hotel or an annex to the Smith Art Gallery and Museum?).

Other council proposals mentioned include reducing traffic on St Ninians Road by so-called “place making” at Beechwood, encouraging more traffic onto Burghmuir Road which could be a dual carriageway again. Surely it would be better if Braehead and Broomridge were more integrated, with better connectivity to the south city centre via the Burghmuir Road corridor.

Some proposals, such as improving the awkward junction at the King’s Park main entrance would be very welcome and should have been tackled long ago and not, as now proposed, dependent on an inner city ring road.

As last week’s article implied, this is a complex issue with potential significant impacts, both negative and positive. I would urge all interested parties to make their voices heard and ensure that the people of Stirling get what they want out of these Stirling Council proposals for city centre south.

Andrew Hipkin by email Dear Editor

I wanted to write and say I thought your hard-hitting edition of the Observer for November 21, 2018, was one of the best I have read. The ‘free’ 2019 calendar is a handy saver too.

You bring to light (as per usual) to the many very important public matters that most residents have not got a clue about unless they read your newspaper every week.

Chris Campbell By email