Helensburgh Advertiser | Opinion | Council 'disregard' furious residents

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Friday, 8th February, 2008 11:00

Council 'disregard' furious residents

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I am writing regarding the blatant disregard Argyll and Bute council has for its residents.

There was a proposed development application made to the council for houses to be built at Old Kilcreggan.

Although 358 people — a very large expression of opinion for a small community — signed a petition against this development, and the Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council and the Amenities Society both recommended refusal, the council have passed it.

None of the applicants resides in Argyll and Bute, but their monetery gain application seems to be of more importance than the views of local residents.

Residents at Old Kilcreggan have been requesting for over 20 years that the speed limit on Mill Brae be reduced from 60 mph and have been told that nothing can be done.

Application granted — and the road speed limit will be reduced to 30mph (only to cover the length of field where development is to take place).

What about the rest of Mill Brae, which is a narrow, winding road? It is nothing to do with the development so the locals will have to continue risking their lives every day at 60mph.

If the council can reduce the speed limit for a new housing development, why can it not reduce the whole stretch of Mill Brae to 30mph for the benefit of all existing road users?

Old Kilcreggan residents have been notified in the past by the planning department that they would not be allowed to build any new properties along their access road because of the danger of driving out on to the Mill Brae. Application granted — and the new development will include a new road that will feed into the existing access road, thus allowing all the extra traffic from the new houses to drive out on to the Mill Brae from a road that was deemed too dangerous for even one property to be built on it.

If the council can refuse building applications for existing residents on road safety issues, how can it allow a large number of new houses to use this access road?

The local councillors who attended the PAN 41 meeting and backed the council’s application should bear in mind that although it is a long time until the next local elections, people have long memories and a vast majority will certainly not forget this betrayal.

C Leonard

Old Kilcreggan

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