In January the Council responded to Wendy:

“We recognise there is a problem on Glebe Street and have committed to carrying out pedestrian and vehicle counts along a length of the street. Our site surveys to date have indicated that there are a number of locations where people cross the road and it would be difficult to position a pedestrian crossing…This is something we are investigating further…”

In April, £20,000 was assigned to Glebe Street for pedestrian works but there is still no timetable for action. Meanwhile residents get more and more concerned about the road.

Wendy said:

“Action on Glebe Street safety is long overdue.

The problems have been highlighted to the Council on numerous occasions by myself and local residents. The Council need to get their act together and fix this issue properly now.”

As Glebe Street resident Karin Rhodes has said to Wendy:

“3 years ago, I had written to the Council as we were very concerned about the traffic on our road. However, despite continuing to contact them on the matter, got nowhere. I feel that we have been let down by the Council who have done something on every major road around us but completely ignored this one.

I worry dreadfully for my kids and they are not allowed to play in the front garden due to the cars that have smashed into front gardens.

Lorries frequently ‘fly’ along the street making a horrific noise every time they hit a bump. It also makes our house shake terribly…at times at such a speed the noise gives us a real fright. Double glazing does not keep the noise out! The Police are also well aware as they frequently target Glebe Street with their Speed Guns.

When cars are parked at our side of the road, they are sitting right in front of a blind bend. We have nearly been knocked down a few times.

Many, many times my husband has spent half an hour just trying to get along Glebe Street to our home when returning from work. During these times, some drivers use the ‘chevroned’ areas of the road as another lane and it only serves to upset other drivers leading to a barrage of angry horns beeping.

School time is really awful around here. Cars are parked everywhere. It is highly dangerous and at times I have had my heart in my mouth bringing my kids home.

I was very disappointed that the Council have found it difficult to identify where to put a crossing. There is a nursery and old folks home one block away…the junction of Glebe Street and Sandy Road is very busy…as both are close together surely they could provide a crossing that would deal with both problems?”

Renfrewshire Council response to re-opening of gap

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Renfrew Residents want satisfactory information regarding the “Drainage Loch” that has been created by the construction of Cocklesloan Care Home. Not only has parkland been lost, local mums and grandparents fear the accident risk for adventurous children. Residents are keen to stress they have no objection to a new care home being built. They just want rid of the pond that has been created.

Construction started last summer in the park directly opposite Tiree Avenue. This involved fencing off a substantial portion of the park.

Original plans for the public did not indicate drainage ponds or rivers. The new pond has been fenced off for months. Anxious residents demanded a public meeting last autumn in the local community hall. It was attended by all councillors and representatives of Council & Site engineers. Residents claim misleading statements were given and promises made but not carried out and no further action appears to have taken apart from repairs to enclosure fence demanded by mothers whose kids were naturally attracted by the now large water filled pond area.

Wendy Alexander said

“Why is a large part of the park still fenced off from public access? Local people just want to know what is happening. There has been little information or explanation to local residents. There are fears that even reed beds in the future will still carry risks”

The park is today in the same water filled state with a substantial area of what was previously a Green Area fenced off from public use.

Local resident James Tod said, “Why after this length of time is water still visible contrary to original statements. We were told by August 2008 we would not know the ground had been disturbed. We want action to clean things up and we are asking for Wendy’s help”.

Renfrew Update November 2008

Youngsters at Newmains Primary in Renfrew have scooped a top cookery award.

P7 pupils Stuart Macauley, Jack Allan, Jamie MacLeod and Rebecca Elliot have won an Active Kids Get Cooking accolade from the British Nutrition Foundation.

Rebecca will now get the chance to meet Jamie Oliver when she represents the school at a culinary event in London later this month.

Local MSP Wendy Alexander presented the youngsters with their certificates.

Ms Alexander said: “I was very impressed with the mouthwatering recipes created by P7 pupils at Newmains.

“I’m delighted their hard work, flair and creativity have been recognised with this award.

“Well done to the winners for continuing their school’s excellent record in this competition.”

Kirklandeuk Primary hit the jackpot after being awarded a Big Lottery Funds Awards for All grant.

The cash bonanza will be used to buy new equipment, including a printer, digital cameras and arts and craft materials. The school was one of several local organisations to successfully apply for lottery funding. Whitehaugh Tenant’s and Residents’ Association received almost £9000 to be spent on painting and decorating, replacement windows and tables and chairs.
The Turkish and Ethnic Minority Centre banked £8500 to help cover a range of costs, including training and office equipment.

Hillview Nursery Parents Management Committee scooped £8000 to put towards painting material, labour costs and replacement astro turf. The Renfrew Amateur Radio Society is also in line for new equipment after receiving £3000. Ms Alexander said: “I’m delighted so many groups across Renfrewshire have benefited from lottery money. This funding will make a real difference to educational, cultural and heritage groups in the area. I urge all local organisations to investigate their eligibility for lottery funding by visiting www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland.”

The figures show that the Scottish employment rate is at a new historic high of 76.2% and remains above the UK and almost all countries within the EU. Ms Alexander said: “Across the area, unemployment has fallen by 9% in the last year and the number of people employed across Scotland is at a record high. The high levels of employment across Scotland are a direct result of the economic success and stability Labour has delivered since being in government.