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First Glasgow Public Meeting 25 October 2000

At a public meeting held by the association on October 25 2000, around 70 residents heard First Glasgow Managing Director, Phil Harper and Network Design Manager Bryan Tennant explain how they were changing the bus route through the estate to better meet the needs of the community.

The meeting was also attended by Des McNulty, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, local councillor Eric Gotts and Duncan Hamilton, Head of Roads for East Dunbartonshire Council.

Full details of the new timetable which will come into force on 7 January can be found here. However the main changes are:

• During off peak times there will be 4 109 and 119 buses per hour from the City Centre to Milngavie (and vice versa). Two 119 services will follow the pre-July route down Hunter Road and to Baljaffray without passing through the estate, one 109 service terminating at Craigton Road and one 109 service via the estate to Clydebank.
• At peak times two 109 services will run per hour in each direction through the estate and two 119 services will serve Hunter Road.
• In the evenings and on Sundays there will be one 119 service to Baljaffray and one 109 service via the estate in each direction per hour.
• Services starting after 7pm and on Sundays will be operated by 25-seater minibuses. During normal daytime operations one of the seven vehicles operating the 119 and 109 services will be a double decker because of safety requirements at Douglas Academy. All other services will be 49/50 seater single deckers.
• First Glasgow admitted that they had "had their fingers burnt" and were glad to be able to discuss their future plans with the community.

The effect of all of these changes will be a cut by half of bus movements in the estate, plus the restoration of a fuller service on Hunter Road. The meeting was asked its feeling and this was felt to be a positive result for all concerned.

Traffic Surveys

At the above meeting, Duncan Hamilton of the Roads Department gave some brief information from road surveys carried out by the police (in September) and by the Council in October. From the police survey, the average speed of traffic on Castlemains / Douglas Muir Road is between 29 and 30 mph, and that the 85th percentile was now between 35 and 36 mph (i.e. 15% of traffic now exceeds 36 mph)

The Council has now given the Association the raw statistics and we will publish more details when we have had a chance to absorb them, and use them as a basis to campaign for traffic calming measures.

From the police survey, in a 24 hour period no less than 7 vehicles passed along Castlemains Road at or over 60 mph (none at night), including a vehicle at 70 mph at 7am!

Estate News

Craigdhu Farm Conversion

Craigdhu Farm steadings are to be converted into five residential units, on the "footprint" of the existing buildings. It has been confirmed that the developer is to doinat £2500 to East Dunbartonshire Council in order to provide improved play areas for children on the estate. The developer will also donate a strip of land adjacent to the west side of Hunter Road for future road widening and a cycleway.

Road Repairs

At an on-site meeting with Councillor Eric Gotts, two members of the association committee and council officials, road surface repairs were identified as being necessary in

• Garvel Road
• Corbie Place
• Ardlui Gardens Service Road
• Achray Place.

Castlemains Road - Hunter Road Junction

An advance 'Give Way' sign, "SLOW" markings and speed reduction measures were identified at the same meeting as being necessary at this junction. The Give Way sign has subsequently been fitted.

The issue of cars parking at and across this junction, particularly now that it is on a bus route has been raised regularly by residents with the association. Discussions are ongoing with the Roads Department as to how best to resolve problems here.

No Through Road Signs

Following an intiative from the committee, No Through Road signs have been fitted at Douglas Muir Drive, Craigbarnet Road and Craighirst Road. This has reduced the number of drivers who enter these roads looking for shortcuts.

Overhanging Bushes and Trees

Overhanging vegetation at the following places is to be cut back by the Council at Endrick Gardens, Finglen Gardens and Catter Gardens. The Council has also asked owners of Craigton Woods to cut back vegetation over footpaths at Craigton Road to the east of the Douglas Academy access road and at the access road itself. The owners have responded promising action here.

Lighting

The site meeting (see above) also determined that lighting was required on the path across the park...

Drainage

... and that drainage repairs and cleaning are needed in Catter Gardens car park and the footpath to the north side of the park.

Dead Trees

East Dunbartonshire Council have been requested, by letter from the association, to examine diseased and dead trees with a view to their removal. A reply is awaited, but it has been noticed that some trees have been marked to be removed.

Vandalism

There have been several incidents of vandalism in the park where several trees have been uprooted or damaged and a dog 'pooh' bin has been burned. Repair and replacement costs you, the council tax payer. Please therefore, do not walk by, and report any vandals you may see to the local police.

Charity Hop

Mark your diary, get out your disco gear and be ready to boogie into the Xmas spirit. A disco is being held at Clober Primary School on Friday 8th December to give residents a chance to enjoy themselves in aid of charity. This “Bring-Your-Own-Booze” affair is being organised to raise funds for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) who want to improve their support facilities for the families of terminally ill children. Further details and tickets can be obtained from Josephine McNeill [956 5176] or Ellen McMinn [956 2814].

Web hosting

In order to make it easier for me to keep the site up to date from wherever I am I have changed the location of the site (to Tripod from Freeserve). This means that it can be updated anywhere on the Net, and not only when I am dialled in at home. This does have the downside that the first page will also display an advertisement for which apologies...FB

Recent Newsletters

Bus Special Newsletter, published August 2000

Summer Newsletter, published July 2000