298 JULY 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

. . . BISHOPTON, BRIDGE OF WEIR, LANGBANK . . .
20
Next deadline - Friday 19th July
Bridge of Weir Community Council
Report 16th June
Ground maintenance: Shades of Déjà vu at the summer Community
Council meeting, the open space area at Gryffe Grove grass not cut,
overgrown willow hedge at the nursery school not cut back, overgrown
vegetation surrounding the nursery and primary school not maintained, and
the tree stump on Houston Road still not removed.
All these issues were taken on board by the Community Council throughout
the previous year. Gryffe Grove was to be cut earlier in the programme - this
never happened, the tree stump to be removed once the machine became
available. However one year on is a long time to wait for the machine to
make the 7 miles from Paisley, and although the willow tree and some of
the vegetation was cut back after the children returned from the summer
break it has not been maintained since. Furthermore the Council will not
send us details of the programme for ground maintenance.
Councillor Don informed the meeting that a review of all ground maintenance
is under way and hopefully this will result in the Community Council having
the programme of works to hand so we can assess what is being missed.
Police Report: The police reported nine crimes during the previous month
so far none have been detected. Warnings were given to drivers when the
speed camera was in operation for a week in the village.
The Police advise all residents within the community to be vigilant in closing
doors and windows.
The third car accident in three years occurred at the railway bridge on Main
Street damaging Brighter Bridge of Weirs garden. It is hoped the survey
carried out by Council Officials at this location, results to be known soon,
will go a long way to prevent accidents such as this re-occurring.
Bin collections: Councillor MacLaren in his written report to the meeting
informed us Renfrewshire Council is giving residents just two days to report
missed bin collections. He moved that residents be given a full week. Now
if your bin is not collected you no longer have the luxury of waiting to see if
they are coming back to fi nish the run. Missed bin collections are a huge
problem with the Council at present
Planning: The business operating from Station Yard has contacted the
Community Council informing us of a likely forthcoming planning application
for housing at the site. The Community Council discussed options with the
Coal Yard management, this included the Community Council making a
submission to the local plan consultation which included reference to this
site and referring that its current use is a business. At this stage there is little
else that can be done until an actual planning application is submitted.
Roads: Cllr Don will keep requesting the Council to resurface roads such
as Carruth Road which have consistently been put to the bottom of the list
over the years
The Chair reported the disgraceful condition of the road residents have to
suffer from Main Street to Mimosa Road, a road frequently used by children
on route to school, parents and grandparents pushing prams, and elderly
residents and car users from Mimosa Road. He had taken a series of photos
on a poor summer’s night which he agreed to pass on to Councillor Don
(can be viewed on our Facebook page). Cllr Don will continue to emphasise
to Council the importance of bringing the road up to specifications as it is
used partly by Council vehicles and emergency services.
New members wanted: The Community Council is quickly approaching
the end of its 4 year term and an election for a new Council will be held
during the months of August and September, dates to be confirmed by
Renfrewshire Council.
We are looking for new members to join the Community Council, diverse
people with a wide range of skills, opinions and ideas keeping Bridge of
Weir a wonderful place to live!
If you are interested in making a difference then come and join us.
Next meeting: The Community Council is now in recess until Tuesday 3rd
September. This will be the last meeting of the existing council.
Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk
Get outside for some perspective on life
Psalm 8 verses 3 and 4:
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them?
Human beings that you care for them?
What is your favourite place to get away from it all and get some
perspective? Even if a poolside spot in a hot location is not an option for
you, you likely have a favourite spot or walk a bit closer to home. Getting
outdoors, preferably in good weather, is a great way to let go and de-stress.
It just seems easier when you have the skies above you and an expansive
view over the fields or sea, to shake off concerns and worries that race
around our little heads.
The person who wrote psalm 8 goes outside for a sense of perspective.
He (or she!) ponders the midnight sky, the moon and the stars and is
overwhelmed by its glory. To him it is a pointer to the glory of God. It makes
him wonder why on earth God would be interested in the fate of a single
human, small and puny as we are. And yet the psalm writer doesn’t stop
there.
It would be easy to conclude, if we only look at the size and age of our
universe that human beings, individuals, are totally insignifi cant. However,
in faith we can discover that we are loved and our lives have a purpose.
The Bible says we are made in the image of God: we are called to refl ect
something of God’s glory and goodness to the rest of creation. So even
though, we ourselves as humans are not the centre of the universe (God
is), we do have a high calling. Our lives are not insignificant.
I hope you will get a chance to get outside this summer – come rain or shine
– to gain some perspective on the meaning and purpose of your life!
Rev Hanneke Marshall, Minister of St Machar’s Ranfurly Church
Parks: In Bridge of Weir, I have been seeking regular
updates on the installation of the new play equipment in
Houston Road Park. The work is now scheduled to begin
on the 8th July and should be complete by the end of July.
I really hope the council can stick to this timescale so that
the children can get some use out of the equipment before
the schools return in August.
Roads: Another issue that I am currently working on is the
condition of Mill of Gryffe Road. As we all know, this is a
private road therefore the council are not required to fix it however if the
road could be brought up to an adoptable standard, the council could adopt
it. I am currently making enquiries in this regard and while there is no quick
fix, I want to assure residents who use this road that this is a priority for me
and if there is a solution for this, I will do my best to find it.
In Bishopton, I have requested that right filters are implemented at the two
sets of traffic lights on Greenock Road to avoid long waits and congestion.
This was especially bad during recent lots of road works however it remains
an issue. Council officers are now looking into the feasibility of this and I
will provide an update on this in due course. On a different note, I had a
great time attending Bishopton Week back in June. The volunteers put on
a fantastic day with lots of different activities and events for the community
to enjoy.
In Langbank, I have once again raised local concerns about the A8
roundabout with Transport Scotland following the matter being raised with
me by the Community Council.
Surgeries: As always, it is impossible for me to note all the issues I have
been working on in this column however, I hope this gives you an idea
of some of the most recent cases. My surgeries do not occur during July
and August however I will still be available by email at: cllr.natalie.don@
renfrewshire.gov.uk, telephone and via social media. Please get in touch if
you have an issue you would like to discuss with me directly.