Our residents deserve more
Dear Editor,
This is what happens when refuse collection is cut to ridiculous levels.
Our bins are overflowing all of them.
People put recyclables into grey bins as the recycling bins are full.
If they are fortunate enough to have a car and can afford to run it - they can take items to other refuse areas, however, many are not.
Our streets are strewn with litter and dog faeces, not to mention what gets blown into the rivers.
Local supermarkets are being faced with this disgraceful mess.
Stirling is a beautiful, historical area; its residents deserve more.
Name and address supplied
Bankclosure Dear Editor,
As you and your readers are well aware, on July 4, the Bank of Scotland branch in Dunblane is planned to close.
This would leave the entire ward of Dunblane and Bridge of Allan without a branch.
This is part of a pattern of branch closures by banks which residents in the ward, and indeed people across the UK are sadly only all too cognisant of.
After the Royal Bank of Scotland closed their branch in Dunblane, many residents and businesses switched their business to the Bank of Scotland, as having access to a local branch is important to them, and it is some of these people who have been contacting myself for support in their plea to keep this branch open, and the reasons that they give are compelling.
Bank of Scotland is part of the Lloyds Banking group which states that their aims include “Building an inclusive society”, “Supporting the transition to a low carbon economy”, also that they will be “a force for good”.
Leaving an entire council ward without a branch would seem contrary to their stated aims.
I have written to the Lloyds Banking group reminding them of their “Manifesto” and other statements that they make, and asking them to reconsider their decision and to keep this branch open.
I am sure that I will have the support not just of Bank of Scotland customers, but of the whole community, which is concerned at the loss of a key local service.
Cllr Alastair Majury (Dunblane and Bridge of Allan)
Travel support call With Scotrail now in public ownership,
now is the time for local authorities to work with the Scottish Government to make local travel networks as accessible and affordable as possible for visually impaired people.
From difficulties in being able to see ticket machines or platform numbers, to being unable to navigate safely and efficiently around a station without a guide, travelling by train alone can often be extremely challenging and feel daunting for many people with sight loss, with some even choosing to avoid it altogether. That’s why Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have launched a petition calling for a new national policy in Scotland for rail travel for holders of a National (Scotland) Concessionary Travel for Blind Persons card and their travel companions, like that of the free bus scheme.
A new scheme enabling free rail travel across Scotland for blind and partially sighted people and their companions would be a huge step forward for an inclusive Scotland for visually impaired people.
Read and sign our online petition at www.change.org/p/free-rail-travel-forblind-partially-sightedpeople-their-companionsin-scotland Craig Spalding, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans