Dunblane fence removed after parents hit out
A controversial fence which blocked a route to school for Dunblane children has been taken down by the council.
Parents of schoolchildren in the Anchorscross area of the town had been unhappy about the appearance of the fence last August between that street and the adjacent Culdee Grove.
It had barred a popular walking route to school for pupils of Dunblane primary and secondary schools.
Contractors working for Stirling Council have now removed the fence.
A nearby parent whose daughter attends Dunblane Primary School, Alix Donaldson, told the Observer: “The fence had been up for more than seven months.
“There was a lot of frustration from parents at the time it was taking to get the fence removed.
“During that time some children were unable to use their usual route to school.
“I’d describe it as a hostile structure. It was built to keep people out.
“The alternative for children whose way was blocked was Old Doune Road which was an extremely unsafe route to take.
“It’s a busy road and large lorries use it regularly.”
When the fence was first erected, an Anchorscross resident had told the Observer that feelings had been running high about the matter.
It is understood that Stirling Council’s access officer had visited the Anchorscross site during the row and the fence had been contrary to the Land Reform Scotland Act (2003) which came into effect in 2005.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said this week: “In accordance with access legislation, the fence across this route represented an obstruction of the public’s right of responsible access.
“Working with the respective landowner, the council has fulfilled its responsibility to ensure that responsible access for the public is maintained.”
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache said this week: “I am very pleased to see the rightful access restored at Anchorcross.
“This has been a difficult situation for officers to resolve and I thank them for seeing this through.
“Many residents have contacted me about it – the vast majority to express their dismay at the fence being erected.
“The lesson from this incident is that access legislation is important and should be upheld, and that dialogue could have avoided this situation in the first place.”
The lesson from this incident is that access legislation is important and should be upheld Cllr Tollemache