Road closure opposed

Conservative councillors have called on North Lanarkshire Council to reopen the road which connects Motherwell and Bellshill through Strathclyde Park.

Access to Strathclyde Park from Bellshill has been closed since the beginning of lockdown when additional measures were introduced by the council to encourage social distancing.

During the Policy and Strategy Committee in March 2020, future changes to the park were announced. These proposals did not detail any permanent road closures and the paper was approved by councillors in attendance.

It is now the council’s intention to keep the access road to the park from Bellshill closed permanently, following the introduction of the Scottish Governments ‘Spaces for People’policy.

The scheme is designed to enable freedom of use for pedestrians and cyclists during Covid-19, to assist with physical distancing.

Motherwell West councillor Meghan Gallacher said:“My inbox has been inundated by residents unable to use this road due to the restrictions currently in place. The road must be reopened immediately to ensure local people can access the park which connects Motherwell and Bellshill.

“In March 2020, a paper was brought to the Policy and Resources Committee detailing future plans for Strathclyde Park however, there was no mention of permanent road closures. The scheme appears rushed and ill thought out.

“So far, there has been two instances in Motherwell where the council has had to rethink the‘Spaces for People’policy.

“I think it’s time for the council to pause and reflect on this scheme and properly consult local communities.”