STRONE RESIDENTS’ ANGER OVER FORESTRY ROAD PLAN
Residents in a small street in Strone have been angered over Forestry Commission Scotland’s (FCS) decision to use the road to allow timber hauliers to gain access to the forest behind it.
In days gone by Westfield was used for the same purpose, to collect felled timber, however it was agreed to stop using this route as the hauliers had to occasionally drive up on the pavement to get past the parked cars.
A spokesperson for FCS said: “We have been re-considering using this route for some time and have been working with the local community and the local authority roads department over the past three years to develop a solution that will ensure there is minimum disruption when harvesting operations get underway.
“From our discussions with the local authority and those at our last public meeting at Kilmun, we have come up with a workable idea. We will provide new car parking for local residents that will let them park away from the kerbside when harvesting is underway and allow hauliers to easily access the site.
“We will advise residents by letter drop of the period when lorry access will be required. When we are not harvesting, residents can continue to park in the road.”
Consultation period
During the consultation period FCS has worked with a sub-group of Benmore and Kilmun Community Trust to develop the Forest Design Plan.
This group has met on numerous occasions, with the sub-group responsible for communicating progress to the community.
“We have held two very productive public meetings so far, in February 2005 and again in September 2007, and have built up a very positive relationship with the local residents who will continue to be involved and informed as we progress this idea,” the spokesperson added.
When asked about the frequency of access, FCS could not confirm the amount of trips that would be made, but did say that restrictions had been put in place and that the community would be informed whenever the road was to be used. We were told: “The frequency of access has not yet been determined and would be difficult to predict at this stage, however we have agreed with the council that there will be restricted hours of use.”
Restrictions
The agreement that has been set will ensure that the hauliers only use the street during the following times:
i. Only Monday to Friday.
ii. April to September in any year only 08.00 - 16.00 hours in any day.
iii. October to March in any year only 10.00 - 15.00 hours in any day.
FCS has said that it will give local residents as much notice as possible, at least one week, when planning to use the route. It also gives the assurance to residents that haulage vehicles will observe the speed limit in place and that they will be loaded within the legal limit.
When asked why Westfield was chosen, the spokesperson said: “Westfield is an old route that is being revived. Five other options were assessed but Westfield was the route which had least environmental impact and it also offered best use of public money.”
On the subject of the proposed car park and yellow lines we were told: “The area of ground initially proposed for the car park is owned by the Commission but following suggestions from some residents, we are currently exploring the ownership of other land which would be more suitable for them. Single yellow lines will be in place so parking restrictions will apply as in any other location.”
Unhappy
Westfield residents, however, are not happy with the decision to use the street again. One man, who wishes to remain anonymous said: “The forest has been here for many years so they have had plenty of time to sort out a better entrance rather than come up our street, which can’t handle this type of traffic.
“This will cause major disturbance. From past experience I know that the road will be filthy, as will the pavements as well as house and car windows. There is also an awful lot of noise from these lorries, which is extremely annoying when you are trying to watch television.”
Referring to the last time this exercise was undertaken he went on to say: “Previously, the lorries came up the street about 8 or 9pm, loaded up, but then came back down at 3 or 4 in the morning, with their brakes squealing.
“The drains became blocked and are now concave and many residents also feel that the lorries caused subsidence in houses with pavements and fences moving as well. Everyone accepts that the wood has to come out but why through this estate?”
Danger
Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, added: “The road is not made for this type of vehicle going up and down it. The street itself is clearly not built for large lorries but neither is the entrance to the street. That, in itself, is dangerous as the lorries will have to swing right round to enable them to enter.
“Another concern has to be the bridge (near the entrance of Westfield). It was built in 1946 and a few years ago there was talk of the bridge being unsuitable for heavy traffic, so why now is it deemed safe for timber lorries?”
For those of you who are not familiar with Westfield:it is a small street, around 20 houses, with a mixture of residents ranging from the young to the elderly.
The road itself is very narrow and if a vehicle of any size was to meet a timber lorry, then one of the vehicles would have to give way; and depending on what section of the road the two met, this may mean driving on to the pavement to allow the other to pass, which clearly brings its own dangers.
The hazards where children and animals are concerned will obviously also be greatly increased should FCSs plan come into fruition.
The potential long-term damage may not be known, or even evident straight away. But the lorries will certainly not do the road, the safety or peace and quiet of the residents any good, that’s for sure.


ARGYLL IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Between the dates of October 28 and November 9, much of Argyll was - to all intents and purposes - cut off from the rest of the country, as a landslide blocked the A83.
People and businesses in much of Cowal, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Argyll Islands suffered as long detours were forced upon them.
Local businesses dependent on road transport found that their costs increased, alongside fuel price hikes, just as incomes dropped. Retail and tourism businesses were left almost high and dry as passing trade abruptly stopped. Many accommodation and food providers were hit hard by cancelled bookings and general lost trade.
Much has been said and written about the issue, most of it emphasising the (many) negative aspects of the whole situation.
Now, the people of Argyll want to put the unwelcome episode behind them - and stress the good things Argyll has to offer.
With Christmas fast approaching, local firms are now aiming to make up lost ground, and are keen to encourage customers from near and far to support local Argyll businesses.
In Cairndow, Jean Maskell of Ardkinglas Estate, said: “We were extremely pleased to hear that the Rest and be Thankful had been opened after almost a fortnight’s closure. The Tree Shop at Clachan lost a lot of business while it was shut and the cafe was even harder hit, as passing trade dried up.
“Now I want to say to people to come and support all local businesses. There’s lots to see, do and enjoy around Loch Fyne and the whole of Argyll.”
In Strachur, the Creggans Inn was hit hard during the road closure. New owner, Archie Maclellan, commented: “We had a number of people cancel bookings, which was a bit of an over-reaction in my view. I tried to persuade them that they had alternative routes, and beautiful alternatives at that, but many cancelled in any case, which was disappointing.”
Archie continued: “We are now seeing a return to normality, and visitors are returning.
“I want to remind anyone who might be thinking of coming to Argyll that this is an area of splendid isolation - just an hour or so from Glasgow, yet a whole world away. Come and see us.”
Local residents in normally-bustling Inveraray were shocked to see the place suddenly become quiet as the A83 was closed. Many businesses which are reliant on passing trade suffered considerably.
Gavin Purdie of Purdie’s Scottish Soap Company in the town’s main street said: “The last few weeks have been pretty awful. Much of our trade comes from day trippers travelling from the Glasgow area, and this was cut off.
“Things have picked up now, though, and people are coming in for their Christmas presents. Local people have been great, and I want to thank everyone and encourage people to support local businesses where they can. We need a boost before Christmas.”
John Patrick, owner of Argyll Adventure Activities at Dalchenna, just outside Inveraray, said: “Argyll was virtually closed down for two weeks, which is unacceptable.
“Politicians need to look at the local roads plan and come up with alternative routes.
“Anyway, now we want to be looking ahead positively, and Inveraray and the whole of Argyll is open for business, and has never looked better.
“Come and see us. You won’t be disappointed.”
There are just over four weeks to go before Christmas. Local traders and businesses need the help and patronage of local people as well as those from outside the area.
We are lucky enough to have some great local firms.
This festive season, make a point of supporting your local Argyll businesses, and help secure their future.


A83 OPEN, BUT ARROCHAR DELAYS CONTINUE
The landslide-hit A83 may have dropped out of the national headlines, but motorists still face 10 to 20 minute delays at roadworks through Arrochar.
We reported last month that the road and footpath improvement works, which began in August, had been delayed for ‘up to six weeks’, in the words of trunk road maintenance firm Scotland TranServ.
At the time, the planned completion date for the works was given as November 2. Three weeks after this date, the roadworks still carry on.
Gary Herbert, who took over the Arrochar Post Office and store in February, said of the works: “This has effectively taken away two months of trade, and we have seen our turnover drop by 80 percent since the roadworks started.
“If the Rest and be Thankful happened to close again, that would finish us”, added Mr Herbert.
Questions have been asked over why the opportunity was not taken to concentrate on the Arrochar works during the fortnight that the A83 was closed. Scotland TranServ disputed another suggestion that the pace of work lessened during the A83 closure, saying: “Work continued while the Rest and be Thankful was closed.”
Expressing a view echoed by many others in the area, one local resident and business owner said: “The folk working on the road have been helpful and courteous. The contractors have been working under difficult circumstances; the work was needing done; and the timing of the landslip was really unfortunate.”
A spokesperson for Scotland TranServ said earlier this week: “We are working to a revised schedule at Arrochar. Work is progressing well, and we will be in a better position next week to give an update.”


SO, WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE BURGH HALL?
An “informal meeting” to discuss the future of the Burgh Hall was held at the end of October.
The meeting - stated to be part of the consultation process in determining the options for the historic town centre building - was attended by representatives from Argyll and Bute Council, Fyne Homes and Strathclyde Buildings Preservation Trust (SBPT). The building’s owners, Fyne Homes, commissioned SBPT to lead the Burgh Hall project at the end of 2006.
An options committee, led by SBPT, has been looking into potential uses for the hall throughout the year. SBPT made a number of requests for contributions from the public, including recollections, memories and anecdotes, which might aid the committee’s investigations.
Initially, the options appraisal was due to be completed mid-summer, but the process took slightly longer than expected as a number of additional possible purposes became apparent during the investigations. Although public meetings were initially mooted for July and subsequently late 2007, these have not yet taken place.
Sarah MacKinnon, chief executive of Strathclyde Buildings Preservation Trust, said: “Following an informal meeting with Argyll and Bute Council, SBPT and Fyne Homes have been invited to present our progress so far at the Bute and Cowal Area Committee meeting next month.
“Although the consultation process has proved more complicated than first expected, we’re fully on track to hold a public meeting and unveil our findings early in the New Year.”
The next Bute and Cowal Area Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday December 4 in the Queen’s Hall, Dunoon. Although the agenda has not yet been finalised, a council spokesperson confirmed that Fyne Homes has been invited to give a presentation on the Burgh Hall options appraisal process. Members of the public are permitted to attend area committee meetings, although occasionally some agenda items have to be exempt and the press and public are asked to leave during those discussions. At present there is no indication that the Burgh Hall presentation item at the December meeting will be made exempt.
Although well into the consultation process, Strathclyde Buildings Preservation Trust can still be contacted on 0141 248 4013 or via the website at www.sbpt.org.uk.