CHATTERBOX - Lochwinnoch Online

Whitecart Viaduct Road Works
I attended the open day regarding the
forthcoming road works on the
Whitecart Viaduct (M8, beside the
airport) in September. It transpires
that the final phase of the road works
will affect the bridge from December
to March 2011. In each direction the
M8 will be reduced to 2 lanes.
Average speed cameras will be used to
ensure that the speed limit of 40mph
is not exceeded (some hope, from past
experience!). This is because
workmen will be in the bowels of the
bridge welding, and if vehicles cross at
speed it makes them jiggle.
Mostly the bridge will stay open, so
there will be no diversions as such.
But it is hoped that joined up thinking
will mean that roads likely to be used
as rat runs will not have road works on
them at this time. Occasionally,
however, the bridge will shut
altogether (e.g. on Christmas day) and
diversions will be in place.
As a result of these works, it is
anticipated that there will be at peak
times at least a 30 minute delay.
Because some of the work will be
directly above some of the airport
parking area, the area immediately
below will be closed and access to
other areas changed to avoid cars
driving or parking below.
The reason for these improvements
over the past few years is that the
bridge was not built to bear the
weight of the huge amount of traffic
that now crosses it. If it had been
left, the failing parts of the structure
were going to make the bridge
dangerous.
The good news is, once the work is
over then the bridge will fully open,
with normal-width lanes and a
normal speed limit.
Have you ever wondered the reason
why the bridge is so high? When it
was being planned and built there
had been a shipyard nearby which
needed the height to allow ships to
pass underneath. Ironically, within
a few months of the bridge opening
the shipyard closed!
Lesley Scott
Heartfelt Thanks
Jim and Betty Blackwood and family
wish to express their heartfelt thanks
to friends and family for their
wonderful support following the
death of their daughter, May Wright,
née Blackwood.
May died peacefully, age 51, on 21st
October 2010, with her parents
present, after a long struggle with
M.S. and other complications.
Many thanks to Archie Ford of
Calder United Free Church, for his
sterling support and for conducting
such an excellent service. May‘s
spirit for life and laughter, and her
fortitude in facing her illness, came
through beautifully in the eulogy.
She was much loved, and the family
is so touched that she had not been
forgotten after some 13 years of
serious illness.
We have received many cards,
flowers, letters and personal
condolences which have all been a
great comfort to the family. Thank
you also to the many fine staff at
Craigielea Care Centre, Renfrew for
their care of May over the past
several years.
Thank you so much to everyone.
Your kindness is a great comfort.
Jim and Betty Blackwood
2
200 Home
Energy Checks in
Lochwinnoch
Have you had
yours done yet ?
The LEAP Project is all about helping
people who live in Lochwinnoch
reduce the amount of energy wasted in
their homes. The project was launched
at the Gala Day this year and we have
to date been welcomed into the homes
of 200 Lochwinnoch villagers to carry
out Home Energy Checks, give advice
on insulation, draft proofing and
central heating systems.
It‘s great to hear reports of insulation
now being installed, cavity walls filled,
wood burning stoves and even PV
panels being investigated.
The project is funded until 31st March
this year and with the cold weather
upon us, now is the perfect time to get
Alan or Rob, the Energy Advisers
round to discuss how you can make
savings.
Over 70 villagers participated in the
Thermal Image promotion during
October. These images will be on
display in the Parish Church Hall after
the Christmas Light Switch on Parade
on Saturday 4th December. If you
would like a Thermal Image of your
home please contact the project. A
reduced rate of £25 has been agreed
with Thermal Image UK Ltd for more
thermal imaging to take place in
December and January.
LEAP wishes everyone a warm and
cosy Christmas and look forward to
continuing to work on energy
reduction in the New Year.
If you’d like Rob or Alan, LEAP
Energy Advisers, to visit you to
discuss the benefits of improving
the insulation levels in your
home and help reduce the energy
you use, go to:
www.lochwinnoch.info/leap
e mail leap@lochwinnoch.info or
phone Carol Gemmell on 842040
Dr Waterston’s Thanks
Dr Waterston would like to thank
everyone who sponsored him on his
cycle round the Isle of Mull that raised
£720 for St Vincents Hospice