600 SIGN PETITION AGAINST SCHOOL BUS CHARGES
SINCE our front page story last week on a new charging regime for school buses, two angry mothers have mustered over 600 signatures on a petition calling for the council to rescind its decision.
Mother of two Jackie McBurney, who lives in Broxwood Place, Sandbank, and Suzy Munro, who lives in Dunoon but whose child attends the school’s Gaelic Unit have been inundated with signatures for the petition. Mrs McBurney has also been bombarding councillors and council officials with e-mails on the subject.
An angry Mrs McBurney spoke to the Observer on Wednesday.
“This is not an issue about money,” she said. “This is about the safety of our children.
“We have no school transport provision at all, There’s no service bus to Sandbank School.
There are a number of children who will be seriously affected - even if there was a bus they would have to cross one of the busiest roads in Cowal to board it.
“This is one of the best primary schools in Argyll - it had an absolutely glowing report from the schools inspectorate - and it would be a great concern if worries for their children’s safety were to induce parents to remove them from Sandbank and take them to other schools.”
Ms Munro said: “There are a whole range of problems which children have to face in walking to the school. They include having to step off pavements to avoid litter bins on rubbish collection days, not to mention the safety issues of walking along a dangerous road - one of the busiest in Cowal - on a wet winter’s night.
“Safety is the paramount issue here - it far outweighs the paltry cost savings that this measure will produce.”
She added: “Right now there’s no indication of any fares scale, and there are other questions that arise - what about the ability of parents to pay these charges? Has the council considered that there are people out there that don’t actually own a car?
“My child attends the Gaelic unit, so as I understand it transport for her will be free - but not for other youngsters in the mainstream part of the school. That leaves a rather unpleasant taste in my mouth.”
Mrs McBurney has two children, aged ten and eight. “Right now they have a 100 percent attendance record, but I’m not about to send them walking along the High Road in winter to get to school,” she said.
“This is supposed to be a ‘green’ council,” she went on. “But they are actually forcing people to use cars to ferry their children to school.
“I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the level of support for the petition,” she said. “It’s a measure of the amount of anger that this has generated.”
Argyll and Bute Council has changed the policy on the provision of school transport. This means that a child under eight years of age is expected to walk to school two miles and a child over eight three miles.
“The issue for the children is safety - for instance a child under eight coming from Dalinlongart Cottages would not be provided with transport - and it’s a long road from there to Sandbank.”
Mrs McBurney said that she had the support of all the parents in Broxwood, and action being considered includes education in the home,
“Has a risk assessment been done on these routes? I understand the council’s road safety officer has left and I assume risk assessment is now the job of the roads department - is there anyone there with the expertise to assess these routes?”
The petition reads: “They would be expected to walk and cross one of the busiest roads in Cowal. There is no ‘Safe’ crossing and no provision of public transport for our children. Please add your name to the petition if you would like to see the council turn this decision around.”
Mrs McBurney concluded by saying: “Perhaps if officials and councillors were to share transport now and then like the rest of us, the budget might not need to be trimmed at the expense of the young and the old, the most vulnerable in our community,”
Mrs McBurney and her neighbour Suzy Munro visited Councillor Dick Walsh’s surgery on Wednesday night to hand over the petition to him.
Councillor Walsh is the council’s education spokesman, and the two mothers had a lengthy meeting with him.
Said Mrs McBurney: “Mr Walsh said that there will be no change in the service to pupils accessing the Gaelic Medium unit in Sandbank Primary School, either on transport or cost. “This means that if you choose to send your child to the Gaelic unit you do not have to pay transport costs - but the same rule doesn’t apply to other youngsters at the school who aren’t studying Gaelic.
“I asked who was picking up the tab for this and he said that it was a decision of Argyll and Bute Council to pay this cost so that there were ‘no barriers to accessing this facility’.
“I believe that this is unfair; why should Gaelic students or pupils have preferential treatment over mainstream pupils?”
“He suggested that I should contact the appropriate council departments to obtain a copy of the scale of charges so that I can ensure parents have access to them. He also suggested I should obtain a copy of the assessment guidelines for safe routes to schools, contact details for the officers assessing the routes, and breakdown costs for the route assessments.
“1. Scale of charges for school buses ASAP so that I can hand them out to parents that do not have access to them.”
She concluded: “I have a suspicion that the cost of the route assessment and the associated reports will far outweigh the £30,000 this is expected to save.”


Residents demand action over “the tenant from hell”
ANGRY residents on a council estate in Dunoon are demanding that the authorities take action against a resident whom they describe as ‘the neighbour from hell’ who has made their lives a misery for months.
Ardenslate Crescent is still largely occupied by council tenants. It comprises a mix of house types, flats, semi-detached and terrace houses. It has the well-kept appearance of an area whose residents take pride in their property. On the face of it a peaceful neighbourhood.
Not any more, it seems.
Since April, residents have been bombarding police and council officials with complaints about a whole range of anti-social behaviour, all coming from the house of one tenant on the estate. The issue was brought to the attention of the Observer by a resident, who arranged for the Observer to meet with other neighbours to outline the scale of the problem.
To prevent any possibility of repercussions we have promised not to reveal the identity of those who have complained and have used false names when quoting residents, but the sheer number of people who spoke to us is ample proof that there is a real cause for concern.
Mrs Smith said that the man, in his mid-twenties, had been in the property for some time. “He came at first with a partner and a child,” she explained. “There were no problems until they split up and she left him on his own earlier this year – after that he went right off the rails.
“From April onwards there have been parties at the house every weekend. They start on Thursday and carry on, often until the following Tuesday.
“The racket and disruption are unbelievable. The music is so loud that it’s impossible to sleep, and the language is appalling. A whole stream of people are coming and going until all hours of the morning; there’s taxis pulling up, doors slamming, and people shouting. They’ve even been playing football at six in the morning.”
The neighbours also allege that there is under-age drinking and drug abuse in the house.
What has angered them, however, is the lack of action by the authorities. Said one: “I’ve got a rent book from the council which lays down clearly a whole list of do’s and don’ts – and this guy is breaching most of them with impunity.
“What’s the point of them drawing up rules if they don’t use their powers to impose them?”
The recent spell of warm weather has brought matters to a head. “One evening a big car drew up,” said Mr Gray. “They brought out a stereo system and a huge amplifier and installed it in the front garden, and then started to party. The noise was tremendous.
“The tenant claims he’s not responsible, which is nonsense – these people are in his house, presumably at his invitation, and the remedy is in his hands.
“When he was challenged by a police officer about the noise disturbing his neighbours his response was ‘They should shut their windows’.
“There’s all sorts of legislation to cover this sort of thing. This council has information on its website about Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) but has never yet issued one.
“If they’re looking for somewhere to start they could try Ardenslate Crescent.”
Mrs Yates was also concerned about the lack of action. “This is a lovely estate,” she said. “I’ve been here for years and this is the first time we’ve ever had a problem. If it’s not addressed promptly, then decent people will be driven away and before you know it, this neighbourhood will degenerate into a ghetto.
“His garden is a dump, and he has two dogs which are never walked, but are allowed to wander about outside and do their business in the street or on the verge.
“Apart from anything else, there are young children here, who should not be subjected to the sight of men urinating in broad daylight, or the sort of language which is being bandied about by this man’s friends.”
However, any notion that there will be prompt action to address the situation seems to be over-optimistic. If the tenant’s behaviour continues, it could take as much as six months to get an eviction process under way, and that assumes that police reports are forthcoming.
Councillor Brian Chennell, who is councillor for the area, was called to Ardenslate Crescent last week by angry residents.
He said that immediately following his visit he had written to Chief Inspector Alan Spence at Dunoon.
He added that he had discussed the situation with housing department officials, who had warned the offending tenant.
Chief Inspector Spence commented: “I can confirm that officers have attended calls to this property on a number of occasions.
“On each occasion we notify Argyll and Bute Council regarding the noise complaint.
“It’s up to the council to apply for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, and if they are successful then we police the order.
“I’m not aware of the current state of affairs as regards any action taken by Argyll and Bute Council.”
A council spokeswoman said, however, that the council could not comment on individual cases since this would constitute a breach of the Data Protection Act.
“It should also be borne in mind that ASBOs are considered to be a last resort, to be used only when other avenues, for example mediation, have failed.
“Argyll and Bute Council is fully committed to tackling anti-social behaviour,” she insisted.
“The council, in partnership with the police, has successfully resolved a number of antisocial behaviour complaints by taking appropriate action against the perpetrators.
“A variety of measures have been applied including mediation, behaviour warnings, acceptable behaviour agreements and eviction notices. es and new provisions within the Anti-Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act.”


Around Argyll & Bute
The island’s new police inspector paid a visit to Rothesay as part of the handover process. Recently-promoted Macdonald Stephen, a familiar figure in Dunoon having served here as a sergeant, takes over from Inspector Ian Wallace, who is leaving Bute for a post on the mainland.
Helensburgh
Villagers can now cross Luss Water thanks to a bridge built by the Army. Soldiers from 21 Engineer Regiment completed the structure at the beginning of June, using materials sourced and supplied by Babcock Naval Services, who are based at Faslane.
Helensburgh’s Hill House is playing host to two exhibitions as part of the first-ever Mackintosh Festival. The event aims to showcase the architect and designer’s genius across Glasgow and the surrounding area and features more than 100 events, exhibitions and celebrations.
Helensbugh and Lomond MSP Jackie Baillie has demanded a top level probe into Argyll and Bute Council’s social work services after recent revelations about council spending.
The Labour MSP has asked Health Minister Andy Kerr to consider sending in a social work inspection squad after the council became the first in Scotland to fail to provide free personal care for the elderly.
Mid Argyll
Wind farm controversy has now hit the area after npower renewables lodged a planning application for 14 turbines on the Ormsary Estate. The landowner said that the site at Allt Dearg, an abandoned sheep run on moorland approximately six miles south of Lochgilphead, was a good option in what would always be a compromise between visual and environmental impact and technical viability.
But at least one Ardrishaig resident disagrees, saying: “This must be the worst possible place to build a wind farm. It would dominate the whole area on both sides of Loch Fyne.”
According to energy company npower renewables, following a public exhibition held last year, 70 percent of those completing comment forms were in favour of the scheme.
Oban
Ambitious plans for the development of Oban have been approved by the local area committee and are now to be put to before Argyll and Bute Council’s Strategic Policy Committee. The Oban Action Plan, which was commissioned by a partnership of the council, AIE, CalMac and other key stakeholders and was produced by a firm of consultants, details a series of development projects for the town, including a new road, a extension of the North Pier, a marina, and a traffic management action plan for the A85 and the town centre.
Islay played host to its annual Beach Rugby Tournament on June 10. The event attracted 16 male and two female teams from as far afield as Melrose and Moffat.
Another attraction on the day was the coveted Calcutta Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual rugby match between Scotland and England, which had been brought to Islay by a member of the Scottish Rugby Union management committee.
Kintyre
The former RAF base at Machrihanish is one of the locations being considered by Sir Richard Branson for launching his space holidays. One of requirements of the ‘VVs Enterprise,’ the spaceship which will carry passengers into space, is a long runway and Machrihanish has one of the longest in Europe.
The president of Virgin Galactic, Will Whitehorn said that although no conversation with the authorities had taken place, both the runway and the airspace around it were very suitable for the company’s needs.
It is thought that around 200 space tourists have already signed up for the initial flights, which will cost £115,000.
The new leisure complex in Campbeltown was officially opened by First Minister Jack McConnell last Friday. ‘Aqualibrium’ houses a swimming pool, fitness suite, yachtsman’s changing and laundry facilities and exhibition and conference space, as well as a bistro and the town’s library.
The competition to choose the new facility’s name was won by Campbeltown schoolgirl Caitlin Ronald, who, as part of her prize, won a year’s free entry to the leisure complex.


Councillor presses for action over the state of Velvet Path
THE road leading to the Velvet Path Riding Stables is not long, but for approximately half of its length you could be excused for thinking it resembles a lunar lanscape. The reason is potholes, big ones, and lots of them.
The state of the road is such that Argyll and Bute Council, since the end of April this year, has forbidden any of its Community Service minibuses from making this trip. Fears for passenger safety and damage to these specially adapted vehicles have been stated as reasons for the withdrawal. Volume of traffic and lack of maintenance are the causes.
The anomaly of this situation is that the road is the property, and responsibility, of the very same Argyll and Bute Council.
Among the local organisations most affected by this ban are the Riding for the Disabled, Enable and Clasp. Currently the youngest person affected is five years of age, while the oldest is a 70 - something lady who has enjoyed the facility for the past 15 years. About 20 people in total are affected.
The Velvet Path has been in operation since 1978 and this is the first occasion on which it has been inaccessible to these deserving users.
Councillor Dick Walsh, who represents the area, told the Observer: “The Velvet Path at Innellan is an extension to South Campbell Road. Following my research over many years I established that the road is in fact owned by the Council. In recent years, following representations from me, the Council has carried out works to the drains and ditches and filled in the pot holes with scarified materials from road workings. Heavy periods of rainfall have removed much of this work making the road conditions terrible for traffic using the road.”
He continued: “In recent months we have received representations from the Scottish Ambulance Service, the council’s refuse collection service and from Community Services who transport pupils from Dunoon Primary School to the Riding for the Disabled Centre.
“I have been representing for monies to support a permanent surface on the road. In the longer term this will be more cost effective for the council as well as maintaining service links to that part of Innellan.”
He concluded: “A paper with options is currently being drafted for consideration by the area committee and council. The options will include surfacing the road from Newton Bridge to the Riding Centre, or a combination of surfacing and drainage with single to two layer surfaces. This project will require to compete with a number of projects from a very limited amount of capital, but I will be pressing for action to carry out a more permanent and cost-effective solution. I am clearly of the view that the council has a duty of care to comply with here and we will need to do something soon on this.”
Marjory Barton of Riding for the Disabled said: “We have only managed two sessions since the beginning of April, normally we have one a week. One of the riders was hoping to get more advanced training in order to try and qualify for the Special Olympics.”
Janey Ambajtsheer, who runs the Velvet Path, told the Observer: “It takes two to three years to train a pony to work with disabled riders and training has to be upgraded every year. One of the fully trained ponies, ‘Spider’, is actually owned by Riding for the Disabled. We are currently working with only six ponies, normally we would have eight to ten.
“We are included in the VisitScotland brochure and are approved by the Trekking and Riding Society for Scotland.”
She continued: “The centre caters for people with autism, Downs syndrome, spina bifida, attention deficit disorder and multiple sclerosis and they all benefit greatly from their involvement with learning to ride, and for many the thrill and joy of inclusion is immense.
“We all just hope that something can be done about this soon so that everyone can get back to normal and we can do what we do best.”