Disruption a major problem in Galashiels

Ally McGilvray • Published 10 Jun 2010 13:53 0 Comments

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GALASHIELS faces a difficult year ahead with the looming cuts to public services, it has been claimed. Bill White made the comments after being re-elected chairman of the town's community council at its annual general meeting last week.

And he urged more local residents to turn out to support members at their monthly meetings. It follows the resignation of four community councillors over the past 12 months - Peter Roden and Lee Dobson the most recent to stand down - and a drop in attendance at meetings of the Gala in Bloom subcommittee, which spruces up the town with floral displays.

The financial advisor revealed the community council had been involved in some of the biggest decisions ever to affect the town in the past year - including the re-introduction of the railway. However, he admitted some big decisions had still to be made.

Looking to the year ahead, Mr White, who is tipped to become Provost of Galashiels if the community council decide to reintroduce the role, said: "We need to continually ask questions relevant to Galashiels and I look forward to support from our councillors to ensure the town is kept at the forefront of any developments.

"We need to ensure the centre of the town remains a vibrant place and any local initiatives and ideas will be warmly welcomed.

"We need more involvement with residents groups to raise the profile and provide views affecting the entire town. Mossilee resident's association are regular attendees with one of their committee now community council members. Langlee residents association now up and running and we would welcome attendance from any of their members."

The community council heard disruption connected to the re-routing the main road through Galashiels had been a "major problem" in the town over the past year.

However, members were told plans to build a new transport interchange to link the town's new railway station with the inner relief link road and bus station were continuing.

"The key area's going forward will be parking and traffic management," Mr White said. "We need to cater for all transport buses, cars, bicycles, trains, and taxis.

"A think tank is now progressing this forward and ideas have come through the road working group with initial ideas discussed. Comments have already been made on these issues and further work on the Ladhope section will hopefully start later this year."

But he added: "The community council should now start considering what would suit the town regarding the public transport interchange and this is now an opportunity to put forward ideas regarding the town centre traffic management system."

Mr White criticised the delay in completing a review of the school estate in Galashiels, which is urgently in need of upgrade - although Scottish Borders Council set aside money for a new study last month. And he suggested a moratorium should be put on all house building in the town until suitable land had been identified for a new Academy.

Mr White said: "We still have no proposals for the location of the new school after four years. This should be a priority before areas in the town are taken for housing developments and we will continue with this to ensure Galashiels receives it rightful share of development in future.

"We need to continue the development and landscaping within the town and continue the fight to retain and improve our retirement homes within Galashiels.

"We have a busy year ahead but, with the enthusiasm of our members and help from the Chamber of Trade, the community and SBC, we will strive to make Galashiels a place people want to live, work, retire, and play in."

This article appeared in Border Telegraph 28 Oct 10

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