Road row goes on
With regards to the Cathkin Relief Road, I refer to the quotation the Reformer dated, June 24 from Head of Roads and Transportation Services at South Lanarkshire Council: “If approved the road will reduce traffic on local residential roads, reduce congestion at peak times and cut carbon emissions.”
“There would also be significant economic benefits of this and other City Deal Projects with opportunities for future economic growth and new jobs. Public transport and cycle journeys would also be improved.” I have four questions for Mr Mackay. 1. How will traffic be reduced when the projections show a 164 per cent increase on Cathkin Bypass?
2. How will congestion be reduced at peak times when there isn’t any?
3. How will carbon emissions be cut when the STAG Report identifies long term air pollution as a moderate negative?
4. Please outline what the actual economic benefits of this City Deal Project will be and how public transport will be improved when the buses will continue to use Fernhill and East Kilbride Roads?
Alan McLennan Oppose the Cathkin Relief
Road
On behalf of Newton Residents Association, who organised the Newton Gala Day, we would like to say thank you to the following:
South Lanarkshire for the grant that enabled us to put the event on, the South Lanarkshire Land Service team who were a great help on the day, and also the following companies for their kind donations Autosafe, Newton Arms, Curley’s Butchers, Ambiance hair salon, Tugs and Tangles, Head Room, Westburn bar, Miller Homes, Sefton bar, Equis, Tesco, Scotkart, Hugh Black butchers, Farmfoods.
Jeanette Adam Social Organiser
I have been following the reports and correspondence regarding the proposed Relief Road.
And while I can understand the concerns of a few residents adjacent to the land which has been set aside and earmarked for half a century for this very purpose (not a “Park”), there is demonstrable evidence that the Project would result in a measurable improvement in the health, safety and quality of life of all local residents (leaving aside the economic benefits that would accrue from the completion of this “Missing Link” in the road transport network).
Most of the objections to the Project seem to relate to an amenity being lost to dogwalkers but it is not much of a distance to the excellent outdoor and recreational facilities provided by the Cathkin Braes.
A side benefit of the project would be the eradication of the rubbish, vermin and anti social issues which blight the area.
Charlie Shaw Blairbeth Road
I would like respond to a few points made in the column written by Bob Doris MSP in the Reformer (June 24, 2015).
The Cathkin Relief Road is not costing the council £21.6million. That is the cost of the road, but it is funded through the £1.13billion Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, an agreement between the UK government, the Scottish Government and eight local authorities.
The council will make a contribution to the cost of the road if it is approved.
The projects which form part of the City Deal package have been agreed in advance.
We have carried out extensive consultation with regards the Cathkin Relief Road over a number of years.
If approved the road will reduce traffic on local residential roads, reduce congestion at peak times and cut carbon emissions.
There would also be significant economic benefits of this and other City Deal projects with opportunities for further economic growth and new jobs. Public transport and cycle journeys would also be improved.
Gordon Mackay Head of Roads and Transportation Services
For several weeks the Reformer has been reporting on the campaign of The Cathkin Relief Road Opposition Group and it would seem that the entire neighbourhood are against the development.
This is far from the case. Many people in this area are very much in favour of the extension of the Cathkin bypass, creating a wide road, suitable for heavy traffic.
The Opposition Group are objecting on the grounds that they do not want the noise and the smell of all these vehicles. At the moment, this traffic uses Fernhill Road, Blairbeth Road and Burnside Road and the residents in these roads will be quite happy to get rid of the noise and the smell.
I live on Burnside Road and at peak times the traffic is continuous, coming from or going to the bypass.
I also frequently use Fernhill Road and Blairbeth Road, both of which are narrow roads not suitable for the evergrowing traffic.
The development is called The Cathkin Relief Road - and I know that it will indeed by a relief for the people who live in the above roads.
One of the nicest things to do as secretary is to write a letter of thanks, especially as the people who so generously support Summerfest are helping to keep Summerfest going.
On behalf of the committee I would like to thank: SLC Tackling Poverty Fund; Rutherglen and Cambuslang Housing Association; Clyde Gateway; Routes To Work South; Joseph Nelson Funeral Care; Morrisons Store Cambuslang; Doonin Group; Duffy Toshner Solicitors; Cambuslang Co-op Funeral Care; Westcrowns Contracting Services; Somervell MOT Station; Cllr Walter Brogan; Cllr Clare McColl; Cllr Christine Deanie; UK Tracing Services; The Bristol Bar; Vaslan; SLC Housing; Rhino Training Ltd; Topek Roofing Cambuslang; Greggs; Tunnocks; The Room; Tugs and Tangles; Hugh Black and Sons; No Hat Required; Larkfield Spiritualist Church; W Curly Butchers; Marion Rooney; Maestro; Classy Chicks; Tommy’s Mason Takeaway; Wellpark Brewery and of course it is incumbent on us to thank South Lanarkshire Council area committee even though our grant was again slashed by half this year and this brings me to the start of my letter.
The cut to our funding by the area committee is effectively putting Summerfest in jeopardy and the committee are feeling victimised by the draconian cut to our grant, so we are really grateful to all our sponsors.
I would also say a big thank you to all the workers who help to ensure Summerfest is well managed. Thank you to Willie Dale and staff at Land Services; Maurine and staff SLC Leisure Services; Gordon McKay Roads Department; David Bebbington Building and Works; Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Community policing Cambuslang.
We at Summerfest are sorry that this years festival was short of some events, we had made arrangements with Glasgow and Lanarkshire Cadets for the climbing wall, the pipes and drums and the large activity tent but we were let down at the last moment and could not at such a late stage find a replacement that we could afford, we also had some groups and organisations cancelling their stalls so there was quite a few empty stalls this year.
We are also sorry that we are unable to do something about the mess from the crazy string and coloured hair spray but that is entirely out of our hands.
However the weather was good, the stage had great performers and everyone
came along.
everyone who Elizabeth Watson
Secretary Wimbledon is in full swing and as usual tennis fans have been camping out for days on end to get a ticket for the much coveted centre court. We asked four people if they could see any sporting event in the world what would it be.
DearEditor
DearEditor
DearEditor
DearEditor
Derek Malone, from Eastfield said:“I would choose the World Cup final, it would be a great atmosphere.” James Robb (80), from High Burnside said:“It would have to be the World Cup final.” Sheena Robb (78) from Burnside said:“I would say the Wimbledon Final, as long as Andy Murray is there!”