Behaviour at the bus station under scrutiny
Vaping and inappropriate mobile phone use are just two new issues that may have to be considered in a review of rules at Stirling bus station.
Current management rules for the station are about to run out, having been in place since 2009.
At a full meeting of Stirling Council last Thursday, councillors agreed to extend these for six months so a review can find out if and how they should be updated.
Council service manager David Hopper said: “The proposed management rules are a means of controlling antisocial behaviour at a location where such behaviour is likely to occur. Without them there is a risk council staff would have difficulty in enforcing appropriate standards of behaviour, resulting in damage to property and injury to persons. “Council employees working at the bus station are currently empowered to challenge persons who breach the rules.”
Tory councillor Douglas Dodds said: “I have concerns. I’d like to see some statistics and figures for example on parking tickets or how many people have been warned.”
Fellow Tory, Councillor Martin Earl said the current rules seemed to suggest people could vape inside the bus station.
Environment and housing convener Jim Thomson agreed that it did seem that time had moved on since the rules were originally introduced. adding: “There’s a number of changes we might like to introduce. I don’t think there’s a major problem at the station. We have had a few complaints including vaping and smoking, and often people don’t realise the stance is considered part of the bus station. Cigarette stubs are the biggest complaint and we had one complaint about use of mobile phones and inappropriate material.”
During the six-month period any proposed changes to the rules would be advertised and brought back to a subsequent council meeting for approval. They would be available for public comment for one month before they came into effect, during which time anyone has an opportunity to object in writing to the council.