MSP’s anger at grass mess
Volunteers who care for station site are dismayed at Scotrail’s neglect
An MSP says he is outraged by Scotrail’s apparent disregard of work carried out at Bridge of Allan railway station by volunteers from the town.
Scottish Conservative Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Alexander Stewart, said community maintenance group the Friends of Bridge of Allan are now “at the cusp” of walking away completely from the maintenance project.
In June, Mr Stewart was informed by a volunteer from the group that the grass at the station was overgrown and despite numerous communications with the station authorities, the group had not received any reasonable explanation for the position, or been advised when it might be resolved.
Mr Stewart said the grass was eventually cut but to an “appalling standard” with no attempt to tidy up cuttings.
Four of the Friends met ScotRail last week to try to find a way forward but were said to have been left “highly pessimistic” about any significant changes in 2020 and now feel their efforts may be better directed elsewhere.
Mr Stewart said: “I became involved by direct communications with ScotRail and eventually something was done, however on being told the job was complete, the grass had been left halfcut and no attempt was made to clean up the surrounding area.
“The bike shed and the area around the charging points was inches deep in cut grass and one of my constituents actually watched one operative cut round a beer bottle, which still lay there afterwards and no attempt had been made to lift it.
“The flower tubs at the entrance were covered in cut grass with no attempt having been made to clear the debris thrown up by strimmers and any vehicle that was parked adjacent to the area was covered in grass.
“The Friends adopted the station in 2009 and have steadfastly maintained the plants and flower border since then and their excellent work being regularly admired by rail users and passers-by.
“They initially accepted that grass cutting has never been their responsibility but was, until recent times, well maintained by the station authorities. Unfortunately, that has started to change over the last couple of summers.
“In 2018, grass cutting was reduced to a barely adequate once-a-month and up until I became involved in June, the grass had not been cut at all and was well over knee height.
“Residents and businesspeople of Bridge of Allan contribute generously to The Friends, and they are being let down by the neglect of the station. For many visitors, it will be their first impression of the town, and sadly it is currently not a very good one – our lovely station has been turned into a local eyesore.
“The fact The Friends feel there is little point in their continuing their work there without assurances about future maintenance, is an absolute travesty.”
“They have been told by ScotRail there are no options for grass cutting to be undertaken by others due to ‘budget constraints and/or health and safety issues’ and that their facilities staff have many other duties to attend to, so grass cutting will be unlikely to receive any priority.
“The current ScotRail suggestion of just two cuts per year is simply not acceptable – and in my opinion, absolutely outrageous.”
A ScotRail spokesperson said: “We set high standards for ourselves in the upkeep of stations throughout the country, which we are held to account by Transport Scotland through the Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE).
“We’ve engaged with our stakeholders in Bridge of Allan, and throughout 2020 our hardworking maintenance team will attend the station, and stations across the country, to maintain the grounds and improve the facilities.”