Glenfinnan Community Council

Glenfinnan Community Council held its monthly meeting on July 12.

Those attending the meeting, held virtually, discussed various issues, including the following:

Roads: Recent work to install salt bins, deal with culverts and ditches and fill in potholes was welcomed.

It is anticipated roadworks agreed prior to lockdown should now be resuming. An update will be sought on the installation of a controlled pedestrian crossing at the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre.

The red phone box has now been ‘adopted’ by the Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. An update is expected.

Finances: The current balance is £9,021.48. Received, with thanks, from Broadlands Renewable Hydro Community Benefit - £2,438.70.

Thanks: Ingrid Henderson thanked GCC for its response during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also asked for the minutes to record thanks to Highland Council for excellent ditching work in April/May.

Signs: Green directional signs have deteriorated and need replacing perhaps with additional information.

Iain MacFarlane, Ally Entwistle and Grahaeme Barrasford-Young thanked the Glenfinnan House Hotel and the Prince’s House Hotel for keeping everyone well supplied in lockdown.

Catriona Hunter and Ingrid Henderson requested plain and polite signs at the A830/ Pier Road junction to dissuade tourists entering the village to park.

A number of other ideas had forward, with mixed responses instances.

These included signs for litter; one at the glen bus stop for a new passing place adjacent to pods access; roadside signs to restrict cars/motorhomes trying to access the Slatach road; the possible renewal of the children’s competition signs on the existing passing place supports and the removal of the informal ‘polite’ notices used as an emergency measure.

It was hoped the new car park would alleviate parking issues. It was noted numerous (GCC) been put in some signs are already on the main road and careful consideration may be required if adding more. As the pier road is adopted by Highland Council (HC), unofficial signs are not enforceable although there has been no indication they could not be used. An approach will be made to HC for involvement and guidance about the possibility of removing/improving existing signs.

Dave Taylor asked about police cones and the possibility of replacing them with white painted boulders. The existing white staves had followed the use of boulders to avoid potential claims of damage to vehicles. Remaining stones to stay. Dave also volunteered to take forward discussion among the back track residents about track surface needs.

Cleaning existing signs: Ally Entwistle volunteered to do this with her family.

Parking: Sandy Hughes, treasurer, had updated Google maps to help reduce parking problems where unavailable sites were showing. She had not been able to do so for business sites and asked if the National Trust and Station Museum would look into this. It will be particularly relevant when the new car park becomes available.

Unrestricted speed sign at the A830/ Pier Road junction: Highland councillor Denis Rixson has had an unsatisfactory response following discussion with Transport Scotland and Bear regarding this. Pauline Donaldson (HC) has been consulted.

Wild Camping: Following recent problems in their area, Duncan Gibson, chairman, had been approached by Glencoe and Glen Etive Community Council seeking support for an approach to the Scottish Government for specific guidelines relating to a much misunderstood concept. There was agreement GCC should support this.

Disposal of waste from motorhomes: Loch Linnhe Caravan Park has facilities which can be used.

Future meetings confirmed as first Wednesday monthly at 7pm using ZOOM. However, it was decided the next meeting would take place on Wednesday September 2 to allow for reduced lockdown to take effect.