“We are trying our best”
Residents of the Torlochan travellers’ site at Sandbank contacted the Observer this week in frustration at the condition of the park and its facilities.
31-year-old Donna Collins moved to the site nine weeks ago with her four children and entered into a tenancy agreement with Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), which is responsible for the running of the site.
Donna was allocated a pitch at the site. Despite her own best efforts to keep her site clean and tidy, she soon became downhearted at the condition of the rest of the park. She told the Observer that she had made complaints to ACHA on several occasions, but after nothing was done, felt she had no option but to contact the press.
The occupied pitches at the site are mostly kept tidy and free of excess rubbish, but the surrounding common areas, and boundaries of the park, have had significant quantities of waste dumped there. This includes garden cuttings, scrap metal and - most concerning for Donna and other families with young children - rotting household refuse. This has, says Donna, attracted rats which run freely on the site.
Donna said: “Admittedly some of the scrap metal was left by previous travellers who have since moved on, but a lot of the waste has come from people who have nothing to do with the site at all - they just come on to dump their rubbish and we can’t do anything about it.
“We are trying our best to clear it up as much as we can. We have asked for skips, but ACHA said it would remove the rubbish. But nothing has been done yet.”
The risk to health posed by the waste is not the only concern.
Each pitch has a small shed which contains electricity points, kitchen, washing and toilet facilities. Donna invited the Observer to view the shed allocated to her pitch, which has a small toilet with sink, a room containing a bath, and a small kitchen with two standard size units.
On the day of our visit, Thursday April 10 - a dry, sunny day - despite very obvious attempts to keep the facilities clean, the floors of each room were flooded, with water lying at a depth of over 1cm. The doors and drawers of the kitchen units were all detached and broken.
“The condition is terrible,” said Donna. “The rats get into the kitchen sheds, the street lights do not work and the site is pitch black at night. The waste is a danger to our children, the site is not secure due to holes in the fence and the fire points don’t work properly.
“We pay rent every week for this.”
The services and sites provided by local authorities are regulated by Communities Scotland under the Housing (Scotland) Act.
There is also a Travellers’ Site Managers Association which meets regularly and liaises with local authorities in connection with site facilities and conditions. It is not clear what involvement, if any, it has had with the Sandbank site.
In the minutes of its March meeting, the association refers to a selection of sites around Scotland which have provided amenities such as drop-in health and literacy clubs, computer rooms and improved kitchen/wash facilities. This is a far cry from the situation at Torlochan where even the most basic facilities are poor.
ACHA officers, including Finance Director Nick Pollard, visited the site on Monday to carry out an inspection. Mr Pollard told the Observer: “Clearly there are problems at the site which need to be sorted out, and I felt it was important to visit and see for myself.”
ACHA subsequently responded to the Observer on a number of questions arising from its visit to the site and Donna’s complaint.
“ACHA is responsible for three travellers’ sites in Argyll, following the housing stock transfer in November 2006.
“The weekly rent for a pitch at Torlochan is £33.05 per week and this covers the ground, the provision of an amenity building, a storage building, and link-up to the electricity supply. The electricity itself is purchased by cards at Dolphin Hall only during working hours.
“There is no on-site warden; it is managed by ACHA’s Housing and Neighbourhood Services Assistant and is normally visited a minimum of once per week, but more if required. Reported repairs can be inspected during the weekly visits.”
With regards to the specific problems reported by Donna, ACHA stated: “A burst pipe in the kitchen was reported on March 28 and was repaired.
“A leaking pipe in the bathroom and repairs to the kitchen units were reported on April 10 and were inspected on April 11 - emergency repair lines have been issued.
“With regards to the rubbish, we are aware of this problem and we visited the site on March 18. At that time the rubbish was mainly garden refuse - tree branches and similar - and some scrap metal.
“During our recent visits it was evident that the amount of rubbish has escalated, with not only scrap metal etc but also other rubbish.
“Our enquiries have identified that no-one on site has seen anyone dumping the rubbish. ACHA will be taking responsibility for clearing the rubbish from the site
“We do feel that the site needs additional security to prevent fly tipping like this from becoming a regular issue. Suggestions of CCTV systems have been put forward as have lowering the entry gates. However these will need to be considered in consultation with residents and on the basis of a long term strategy for the site.
“We are not aware of any street lighting issues, however any reported repair via our freephone repairs line on 0800 028 2755 will be dealt with accordingly.
“We are aware that one of the fire points is leaking and a repair line has been issued to check this. The fire hoses are regularly used by residents to wash caravans and vehicles and to wash down pitches - they are not meant to be used for this purpose and residents are aware of this.”
Mr Pollard concluded: “There are a variety of short term and long term issues and we want to work with residents to resolve these.”


COMMISSION OPENS FORMAL INVESTIGATION ON CALMAC
The European Commission has decided to open a formal investigation procedure to look into complaints about subsidies paid by the Scottish Executive to the Scottish ferry companies CalMac and NorthLink.
The European Commission is aware that it may be that such support constitutes fair compensation for the provision of ferry services and complies with EU rules on State aid. However, the commission now says that it requires more information to check that the mechanism used in recent years does not fall foul of these rules, in particular that there has been no overcompensation or undue distortion of fair competition.
Vice-President Barrot said in a statement: “I am well aware of the importance of lifeline ferry services to ensure the survival and prosperity of isolated island communities in Scotland. This is actually a very important reason why we should ensure full compatibility with EC law and provide legal certainty for the way these services are organised.”
Following representations by third parties alleging that State subsidies to CalMac and NorthLink breached EU rules on State aid, the commission has carried out a preliminary investigation. Wednesday’s decision formally opens the investigation procedure. The main issue to be addressed is whether the financing of ferry services by the public authorities has led to over-compensation, which could have distorted competition in related commercial activities.
The decision does not question the need for a regular and affordable lifeline ferry service for local communities, nor does it threaten the continued provision of such essential services in the future. However, in line with EU Treaty rules, the mechanisms put in place to finance these services must remain proportionate to such public interest objectives.
The decision to open the formal procedure does not prejudge the final view the commission will take once its investigation has been completed. It is addressed to the UK, which is given two months to file a reply. It will be published soon in the EU Official Journal for comments by interested parties.
SNP Member of the European Parliament Alyn Smith has welcomed the launch by the European Commission of formal legal proceedings investigating the legacy of Scotland’s ferry policy the SNP government inherited on taking office.
The move follows a call for such proceedings from Mr Smith last month in order to give clarity to the ongoing discussions about how Scotland’s ferry services are maintained.
Speaking on Wednesday Smith said: “I came to the view last month that formal legal proceedings will be the best way to find a way out of the rabbit hole of timidity and confusion the government inherited, and I’m pleased that the commission has today commenced formal proceedings.
“This will give everyone clarity, a clear timescale and process to argue this case, and I have no doubt that the SNP will argue this robustly with a view to obtaining a stable future for Scotland’s ferry users and companies.
“It is telling that the Commissioner himself is at pains to stress that the investigation emphatically does not mean the end of CalMac or of any services, but will give legal clarity to the issues.
“It is unusual for the commission to be at such pains to stress its sensitivity to the issues involved. It also gives the lie to the hypercautious approach which saw the previous ministers so feart of legal action.
“We have nothing to fear from a robust argument in a formal legal setting, and I have every confidence that these proceedings will remedy the guddle the SNP government inherited, and it is good to see resolution come that bit closer today.”


“What an eyesore!”
Locals in Inveraray were up in arms this week as new street lighting made its first appearance in and around its main street.
The A83 trunk road runs through the centre of the picturesque Loch Fyneside town and has been the subject of extensive renovation works in recent months, with traffic lights, delays and closures while the £2.25m upgrade is completed.
However, the latest phase - the arrival of tall, shiny aluminium lampposts along the main approach to Inveraray and at the bottom and top of the main thoroughfare - caused consternation, with local business-people calling the new lighting “an eyesore.”
Donald Clark of the George Hotel said: “These new posts are not in keeping with the town’s appearance. “Lighting elsewhere has been tastefully done and is inconspicuous, but these look dreadful.”
The lamppost which seems to be causing most offence has been placed at the shore end of the main street, in front of a Celtic memorial cross. Mr Clark said: “The view from the memorial across to the castle and bridge is one of the most photographed - and it has been spoiled by the position of the new streetlight.
“Something needs to be done - an alternative should be found.”
His view was shared by Dawn Gilfellon of Old and New, who told the Observer: “When I first saw it, I thought they can’t be serious - it looks just awful.
“The one at the cross in particular is horrendous, it dominates the view. There was never a street light there before, so it is not replacing an old one - why did they put it there?”
Liz Campbell of Brambles restaurant said: “They are awful - like motorway lights. They went to the trouble of putting up an old style bus shelter to fit in with the town, and now they have put a modern lamp post right next to it. The view at the cross has been ruined.”
Other business owners were also of the view that the look of the new lighting was not appropriate for its environment, questioning why a more traditional style of lamp - such as that used in the Avenue, pictured - could not have been employed.
They also expressed dissatisfaction with the level of consultation over the new lighting - saying that while locals had been kept well informed about the roadworks programme, when it came to the lights there was very little public discussion.
Opinion was not quite unanimous, however. Philip Elliot said: “There’s nothing wrong with them. Perhaps we don’t need the one at the cross, but the rest are ok - we do need street lighting.” Another lady pointed out: “They’re no worse than anywhere else - and there are other parts of the town in greater need of attention.”
Chair of Inveraray Community Council, John Patrick, explained some of the background to the Observer: “The community council addressed this issue six months ago. The road is officially classified as a trunk road and is therefore enshrined in legislation.
“Various options were considered - ornamental lights don’t meet requirements; we looked at fixing lights to other buildings, etc; but at the end of the day we have to meet the legal demands and keep people safe.”
He added: “With the support of local councillors we did manage to argue away a couple of lampposts.
“I am surprised at the depth of feeling in the community about this, as we have worked hard to accommodate local businesses and residents wherever possible.”
With regards to consultation, Mr Patrick confirmed that there had been local business representatives at the meetings held to discuss the progress of the roadworks, although the lights had been one of the final points clarified due to the attempts made to find alternatives.
A spokesperson for Scotland TranServ on behalf of Transport Scotland said: “Prior to starting the works at Inveraray, we undertook full consultation with local businesses and residents as well as Argyll and Bute and Inveraray community councillors.
“The feedback we have received so far has been extremely good and we are amazed at the complaint received now.
“Conservation officers for Argyll and Bute Council were adamant that heritage-type lampposts could not be used and after meetings and discussion the type and positioning of new lighting was approved.”
The spokesperson confirmed that following further meetings on site this week, the lamppost at the centre of the complaint would disappear: “We have reviewed the situation and this column will be removed without replacement. Instead, we will upgrade one of the wall-mounted units to compensate.”
Argyll and Bute Council stated: “There can be problems trying to replicate gas lamps. The new lighting was required to be very similar to what was already there rather than enter another feature into the street scene.”
Scotland TranServ has advised that the offending lighting column at the memorial cross will be removed within two to three weeks.


IRISH FERRY MEETING SUCCESS
Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed the huge backing received for the reinstatement of the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry, following a meeting in Tarbert last week which saw over 70 delegates from Scotland and Northern Ireland discuss the potential benefits of the route.
There was overwhelming support from those attending the meeting and the route was highlighted as being a key economic driver for communities, not just within Kintyre and North Antrim, but for the North West Highlands, Northern Ireland and indeed the whole of Ireland.
Representatives included Government officials, local councillors and MSPs, MPs and MLAs from both sides of the Irish sea, as well as businesses and community interests.
Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Chairman of HITRANS, facilitated the meeting and was delighted to see so many different interests having a direct opportunity to feed into the appraisal process.
He said: “The summit provided a very useful opportunity to enter into direct dialogue with officials from the Scottish and Northern Ireland Governments who were in attendance, along with MVA Consultancy who have been appointed by the Government to carry out a STAG appraisal into the route.
“The reinstatement of the route is not just about moving tourists across the Irish Sea, it is about being a key piece in the jigsaw of sustainable economic regeneration for Kintyre and North Antrim - and that means looking not just at the tourist and recreational markets but the business to business markets too.”
Delegates were asked to discuss and comment on not only the potential users and impact of the route, but also the potential add-ons which could be considered to the routing of the service. Whilst the Campbeltown to Ballycastle link is at the core of the route, suggestions were forthcoming including destinations in Ayrshire and other Scottish and Northern Ireland sites.
MVA Consultants are to report to the Scottish Executive in June or July this year and ministers have confirmed that this will be given their urgent attention.