No I have not been away just totally immersed in the County Buildings which is a bit like the Dr Who "tardis" - looks normal from the outside but inside a different world all together.
Well we are just over a month into government – sorry I am sounding like T Blair or Alex Salmond. What I should say is the council has been in business for about six weeks now – and are we much further forward? I hope so.
All the new panels are in place ( the new word for committees) and members are trying to get their minds round the new setup. The same could be said for the officers who are also working under a new system.
It may sound a bit chaotic – but don`t panic dear reader – the business of local government still continues to flow with decisions being made, plans being passed, grants being allocated…Policy is still being formulated, but that will come and all hopefully to the benefit of you the council taxpayer.
The committees may have new names but the people are still there doing the same job. However as was pointed out at the meeting of voluntary community groups last week it is not always easy for somebody on the outside to find out who is there on the inside to provide help when it is needed. Part of the essence of the new South Ayrshire Council is community involvement – so easier access is something we must look at. A clear contact list on the council award winning website ( www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk ) would be a start. But then what do you do for the people not on the internet and there are still a lot of them out there?. Lists pinned up on library walls perhaps.
In between panel meetings, training sessions (learning how to be a good councillor and giving you value for your council tax) this is the season of galas and school productions and prizegivings – so the councillors` diaries are pretty crowded.
I was at Maybole Gala Day on Saturday and despite the wintery weather – it was freezing! (so much for global warming) – there was a great turnout to see the procession and crowning of the King and Queen of Carrick. The Burns theme of the previous week continued into the Gala – Maybole has been celebrating the fact that Burns` parents met and married in the town – and lots of kids and adults were in period costume.
As well as local folk, the Gala procession had one MP one MSP, the Provost, four councillors, plus the World President of the Burns Federation and the next World President of the Burns Federation. Surely that must be some sort of record!..I suspect the Coylton Gala on this coming Saturday (June 23) may not have such a `star` line-up – but maybe the weather will be better. Let`s hope so.
Monday, 18 June 2007
Friday, 25 May 2007
Sweetness and light in the council chamber
THE view this week is really from the Council Chamber for the new council had their first formal meeting on May 21 and top posts were allocated. Winifred Sloan is Provost again – and will continue her Civic Pride programme. Leader of the council is Conservative Hugh Hunter. The principal leadership panel is made up of Tories, (the majority party) but all the other senior posts have been distributed between the SNP, Labour and Independent
The council is taking on a exciting new format – Cabinet style they call it - which involves a new range of panels (instead of committees)_- but it is felt this will give a better standard of service from all of us. The Cabinet will have the job of making the decisions and the Scrutiny committees will have the chance to review these before they are implemented. This is supposed to give a greater opportunity for public debate. It is early days for councillors and officers – so it will be a challenge for everyone to make it work.
The Council meeting went remarkable smoothly considering this was the first time four different parties faced each other across the council chamber – and there was remarkably little cross party sniping. Long may it continue for the new partnership style of local government is all about us working well together.
June 5 sees the council getting down to the serious business of running South Ayrshire – I will keep you posted. Of my wide range of positions - from panels to outside bodies – I think I will find the Regulatory Panel which deals with planning and the Licensing Board the most interesting.
Those living in the rural part of South Ayrshire will be pleased to know that the Rural Committee has been maintained and of course the various Community Councils can look forward to receiving real money to work with in the coming year - £2,000 for the smallest rising to £5,000.
Speaking of Community Councils – the ward of Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton, has five so it should be fun trying to cover them all – particularly as some meet on the same night. This might be where having four councillors for the ward may prove an advantage – we can split up so that everyone is looked after and the views expressed relayed to the other councillors.
The council is taking on a exciting new format – Cabinet style they call it - which involves a new range of panels (instead of committees)_- but it is felt this will give a better standard of service from all of us. The Cabinet will have the job of making the decisions and the Scrutiny committees will have the chance to review these before they are implemented. This is supposed to give a greater opportunity for public debate. It is early days for councillors and officers – so it will be a challenge for everyone to make it work.
The Council meeting went remarkable smoothly considering this was the first time four different parties faced each other across the council chamber – and there was remarkably little cross party sniping. Long may it continue for the new partnership style of local government is all about us working well together.
June 5 sees the council getting down to the serious business of running South Ayrshire – I will keep you posted. Of my wide range of positions - from panels to outside bodies – I think I will find the Regulatory Panel which deals with planning and the Licensing Board the most interesting.
Those living in the rural part of South Ayrshire will be pleased to know that the Rural Committee has been maintained and of course the various Community Councils can look forward to receiving real money to work with in the coming year - £2,000 for the smallest rising to £5,000.
Speaking of Community Councils – the ward of Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton, has five so it should be fun trying to cover them all – particularly as some meet on the same night. This might be where having four councillors for the ward may prove an advantage – we can split up so that everyone is looked after and the views expressed relayed to the other councillors.
Monday, 14 May 2007
from the council chamber - it begins
I HAVE discovered a new human condition . . . electionlag. It`s like jetlag, only worse and it lasts longer…It maybe had something to do with the 24-hour stint on election day. All started well. The sun shone, the voters were appearing to come out, there was even a bit of a carnival atmosphere outside Coylton polling station and it all passed quite nicely until around 11pm – when the new electronic system of counting took over and we discovered the intricacies of the two part voting form for the parliament had by-passed a large number of the electorate!.
Then I guess you could say things went from bad to worse. Being the cynics that we are and going on past experience, when the company engineers in charge of the super duper new system assured us beforehand that nothing could go wrong – we somehow knew that it would. Half their counting machines gave up the ghost early and my ward results managed to get lost somewhere in the system. They assured us they were in there but meanwhile as all the other candidates were assessing from screens how their votes were going – the one for Maybole North Carrick and Coylton was blank. We were in the dark.
Add to that the confusion of the spoilt papers – South Ayrshire had about 900 – and you can see it was a fun – or for that, read fraught – night for all concerned. I decided around 3am I was dead on my feet and decided to go home for a couple of hours rest. My head barely reached the pillow when the phone rang at 4.30am and I was called back to the Citadel. Things were happening I was told. Not quite true – but after standing around for another couple of hours the results were at last being announced and by 7.30am I was celebrating being a new councillor – one of 15 on the new-look South Ayrshire Council.
And new look it certainly is with 12 of us Tories, nine Labour, eight SNP and one Independent (Something the Ayrshire Post somehow managed to miss. Brian Connolly who beat me be one vote last time round, was re-elected)..The first couple of days passed in a bit of a haze – but I wasn`t alone in feeling like that. We were councillors but didn`t know where to go or what to do. The corridors of the County Buildings are a maze for the uninitiated. They all look alike so we found ourselves wandering aimlessly for a while and this combined with the tiredness produced that electionlag feeling.
The system has now clicked in and the council officers have arranged `councillor classes` for us. So it is a bit like going back to school to learn the intricacies of local government and how it operates. We will also need to learn how to work together. Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton is one ward with four councillors, one from each party – Tory, Labour, SNP and Independent. How we will share responsibility? It is a learning process for us all
The first meeting of the council proper is Monday, May 21 at 10am . How will it go?
I will certainly keep you posted.
Then I guess you could say things went from bad to worse. Being the cynics that we are and going on past experience, when the company engineers in charge of the super duper new system assured us beforehand that nothing could go wrong – we somehow knew that it would. Half their counting machines gave up the ghost early and my ward results managed to get lost somewhere in the system. They assured us they were in there but meanwhile as all the other candidates were assessing from screens how their votes were going – the one for Maybole North Carrick and Coylton was blank. We were in the dark.
Add to that the confusion of the spoilt papers – South Ayrshire had about 900 – and you can see it was a fun – or for that, read fraught – night for all concerned. I decided around 3am I was dead on my feet and decided to go home for a couple of hours rest. My head barely reached the pillow when the phone rang at 4.30am and I was called back to the Citadel. Things were happening I was told. Not quite true – but after standing around for another couple of hours the results were at last being announced and by 7.30am I was celebrating being a new councillor – one of 15 on the new-look South Ayrshire Council.
And new look it certainly is with 12 of us Tories, nine Labour, eight SNP and one Independent (Something the Ayrshire Post somehow managed to miss. Brian Connolly who beat me be one vote last time round, was re-elected)..The first couple of days passed in a bit of a haze – but I wasn`t alone in feeling like that. We were councillors but didn`t know where to go or what to do. The corridors of the County Buildings are a maze for the uninitiated. They all look alike so we found ourselves wandering aimlessly for a while and this combined with the tiredness produced that electionlag feeling.
The system has now clicked in and the council officers have arranged `councillor classes` for us. So it is a bit like going back to school to learn the intricacies of local government and how it operates. We will also need to learn how to work together. Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton is one ward with four councillors, one from each party – Tory, Labour, SNP and Independent. How we will share responsibility? It is a learning process for us all
The first meeting of the council proper is Monday, May 21 at 10am . How will it go?
I will certainly keep you posted.
Sunday, 29 April 2007
End of the Road
Well this is the final blog before Election Day – Thursday May 3.
It has been interesting plodding the miles round the new huge ward of Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton Different communities, town, village and country – yet many share the same concerns.
And what has topped the list? Not, as you might think, the closure of the Accident and Emergency Department of Ayr Hospital – though that was obviously a worry and a decision most hoped will be changed. However I did find ONE potential voter who approved of the change. But she was a senior nurse at Ayr Hospital and was taking the long view.
No, topping the list was roads – complaints about the condition of our roads, potholes etc, to speeding drivers and the need for more safety measures From Maidens, where there are numerous accidents with drivers speeding into the village, to the outskirts of Annbank, where there was a fatal accident last week the complaint is the same – car drivers are going too fast on our country roads. And you can add to that the timber lorries that speed along the Straiton to Minishant road, cutting up roadside verges and other drivers. People all over are demanding that something is done to improve our roads and make them safer.
And of course there is still the thorny question of the Maybole by-pass. Surely a new parliament will see that through. We can’t afford to stop applying pressure here.
You have my assurance that if elected I will be unceasing in seeking additional expenditure on road maintenance to try and catch up on the disgraceful 10 years backlog which has been caused by lack of investment hidden under the heading of “budget savings”.
Second was anti social behaviour – in particular underage drinking. People who live in what you would think are idyllic situations having their lives ruined by drunken kids and they are frustrated that the police seem to be able to do little about it. Yet another challenge that the new council has the opportunity to address and must do so quickly.
Pensions too came high on the list – but unfortunately standing for the council I wasn’t in any position to make any promises there if I get elected- though I could assure people that the new council will be doing everything in their power to bring down the council tax next year and it certainly looks like there will be concession for senior citizens. (After all the parties vying for power in the next parliament are promising that in one form or another.)
All I can do now is ask you to make sure you come out and vote on Thursday. There is a new style of voting for the council, a multi-candidate choice and that should make the result both historic and more interesting. Hope to see you at the polling station.
It has been interesting plodding the miles round the new huge ward of Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton Different communities, town, village and country – yet many share the same concerns.
And what has topped the list? Not, as you might think, the closure of the Accident and Emergency Department of Ayr Hospital – though that was obviously a worry and a decision most hoped will be changed. However I did find ONE potential voter who approved of the change. But she was a senior nurse at Ayr Hospital and was taking the long view.
No, topping the list was roads – complaints about the condition of our roads, potholes etc, to speeding drivers and the need for more safety measures From Maidens, where there are numerous accidents with drivers speeding into the village, to the outskirts of Annbank, where there was a fatal accident last week the complaint is the same – car drivers are going too fast on our country roads. And you can add to that the timber lorries that speed along the Straiton to Minishant road, cutting up roadside verges and other drivers. People all over are demanding that something is done to improve our roads and make them safer.
And of course there is still the thorny question of the Maybole by-pass. Surely a new parliament will see that through. We can’t afford to stop applying pressure here.
You have my assurance that if elected I will be unceasing in seeking additional expenditure on road maintenance to try and catch up on the disgraceful 10 years backlog which has been caused by lack of investment hidden under the heading of “budget savings”.
Second was anti social behaviour – in particular underage drinking. People who live in what you would think are idyllic situations having their lives ruined by drunken kids and they are frustrated that the police seem to be able to do little about it. Yet another challenge that the new council has the opportunity to address and must do so quickly.
Pensions too came high on the list – but unfortunately standing for the council I wasn’t in any position to make any promises there if I get elected- though I could assure people that the new council will be doing everything in their power to bring down the council tax next year and it certainly looks like there will be concession for senior citizens. (After all the parties vying for power in the next parliament are promising that in one form or another.)
All I can do now is ask you to make sure you come out and vote on Thursday. There is a new style of voting for the council, a multi-candidate choice and that should make the result both historic and more interesting. Hope to see you at the polling station.
Saturday, 21 April 2007
10 days to go
WELL the election campaign is well and truly underway.
But when you read all the publicity in the papers you`d be hard pressed to realise that the council elections are actually happening.
All the headlines, all the TV cameras, all the commentators are concentrating on the activities of the Holyrood candidates – or as all broadcasters seem to say, HOLLYrood elections. They`ve been watching too many movies.
And while it may be of great interest to everyone what Jack McConnell thinks of Alex Salmond, and vice versa; what Nichol Stephen has in mind, likewise Annabel Goldie, for the next session of the parliament, what happens in the County Buildings in Ayr will in fact have as much of an impact – maybe even more of an impact - on your day-to-day lives as the goings-on in Edinburgh. (OK a referendum on Independence will make a difference but that is three years away.)
Yet amazingly, going round the doors – I am sure I will be three inches shorter once this campaigning is over, I`ve walked so much – some people are surprised to learn that there are two elections going on on the same day.
And considering this is the first trial of PR voting for local elections in the country , that all the ward boundaries have changed and that instead of the usual X to select your candidate, you will not only be expected to number your choices you will be voting for more than one candidate in each ward, you`d think the council elections would be getting at least some publicity nationally.
Do I see a recipe for chaos on election night? I hope not. Though one native of Ireland now living here didn`t help my confidence. The voting system selected is the one used the Northern Ireland - the Single Transferable Vote system - and he assured me that folk won`t understand it - :`They`ll vote, 1, 1, 1, 1, instead of 1,2,3,4 and you`ll have loads of spoiled papers!`. Let`s hope he was underestimating the Scottish voter.
The only consolation is that all parties are facing the same problems, have the same concerns that they are getting their message across loud and clear.
As I write this there are only 11 more canvassing days left – and one more pre-election blog to write.
Next week I will let you know my view of your concerns, what folk have been talking about round the doors – and make one last appeal to you to get out there and vote.
All is not as it seems in the “political scene”
If you read the local papers recently you will have got the impression that Paul Torrance and Gibson Macdonald hate each others politics and guts. Well Paul’s been in hospital – all the Tories sent him a get well card genuinely wishing him well. On Friday he was in the County Buildings looking bronzed and fit. Paul then sought out Gibson and shook him by the hand to say a warm thanks for the friendly gesture sent at a time when he was feeling low. So there you are it is possible to argue forcefully but still respect each other.
But when you read all the publicity in the papers you`d be hard pressed to realise that the council elections are actually happening.
All the headlines, all the TV cameras, all the commentators are concentrating on the activities of the Holyrood candidates – or as all broadcasters seem to say, HOLLYrood elections. They`ve been watching too many movies.
And while it may be of great interest to everyone what Jack McConnell thinks of Alex Salmond, and vice versa; what Nichol Stephen has in mind, likewise Annabel Goldie, for the next session of the parliament, what happens in the County Buildings in Ayr will in fact have as much of an impact – maybe even more of an impact - on your day-to-day lives as the goings-on in Edinburgh. (OK a referendum on Independence will make a difference but that is three years away.)
Yet amazingly, going round the doors – I am sure I will be three inches shorter once this campaigning is over, I`ve walked so much – some people are surprised to learn that there are two elections going on on the same day.
And considering this is the first trial of PR voting for local elections in the country , that all the ward boundaries have changed and that instead of the usual X to select your candidate, you will not only be expected to number your choices you will be voting for more than one candidate in each ward, you`d think the council elections would be getting at least some publicity nationally.
Do I see a recipe for chaos on election night? I hope not. Though one native of Ireland now living here didn`t help my confidence. The voting system selected is the one used the Northern Ireland - the Single Transferable Vote system - and he assured me that folk won`t understand it - :`They`ll vote, 1, 1, 1, 1, instead of 1,2,3,4 and you`ll have loads of spoiled papers!`. Let`s hope he was underestimating the Scottish voter.
The only consolation is that all parties are facing the same problems, have the same concerns that they are getting their message across loud and clear.
As I write this there are only 11 more canvassing days left – and one more pre-election blog to write.
Next week I will let you know my view of your concerns, what folk have been talking about round the doors – and make one last appeal to you to get out there and vote.
All is not as it seems in the “political scene”
If you read the local papers recently you will have got the impression that Paul Torrance and Gibson Macdonald hate each others politics and guts. Well Paul’s been in hospital – all the Tories sent him a get well card genuinely wishing him well. On Friday he was in the County Buildings looking bronzed and fit. Paul then sought out Gibson and shook him by the hand to say a warm thanks for the friendly gesture sent at a time when he was feeling low. So there you are it is possible to argue forcefully but still respect each other.
Friday, 13 April 2007
Playing Politics
WHEN is politics serious and when does it become a game?
It appeared to become a game last week when Councillor Paul Torrance hauled himself out of his sickbed and Councillor Helen Moonie came home early from a conference in Edinburgh with the sole aim of defeating a Tory recommendation to turn down the application for a massive windfarm at Dersalloch, above Straiton
It was a good game. Five Labour councillors got together to overturn this recommendation - the vote was 5-4 - against the advice of planning officials who recommended refusal, against the wishes of neighbouring Labour controlled East Ayrshire Council (most of the site visual affects East Ayrshire above Dalmellington). Labour Justice Minister and MSP for the area Cathy Jamieson opposed the plan, as did thousands of residents who signed a petition to that effect.
But most of all Prestwick Airport opposed the plan as they foresaw problems with radar affecting flight plans and said openly this could affect the future development of the airport – and as a result could pose a threat to jobs out there.
But hey why should all that matter when Labour could get one over their Tory opponents. A great wheeze – and one that may come back to haunt them.
It is ironic that South Ayrshire should have had control over this decision considering the windfarm will have little impact on Straiton – it won`t be seen or heard from the village so there has been no great raising of voices against the plan there. It will of course bring a cash rental to the community. However it will impact on Dalmellington and maybe even the future of the airport.
It is now up to the Executive to decide on the future of the windfarm – while under the impression that South Ayrshire Council approves of it.
This is the type of behaviour that is putting people off voting – and quite a lot of them have been saying just that as I continue to go round the doors.
Dangerous roads – and driving – have again come to my attention this week – this time the target is the road between Maybole and Maidens, past Culzean..
It would appear a lot of traffic is taking this alternative route - the local theory is they are trying to avoid the speed cameras on the A77. They are speeding round dangerous bends on this lesser road many of them landing in fields and going through hedges according to the locals.
The villagers of Maidens are getting fed up with it – rightly so. Even horses from the riding stable are at risk as cars speed into the village. There is no horse warning sign as you get in other part of the area.
More warning signs and slowing down measures are definitely needed– something for the new council to tackle. I think.
It appeared to become a game last week when Councillor Paul Torrance hauled himself out of his sickbed and Councillor Helen Moonie came home early from a conference in Edinburgh with the sole aim of defeating a Tory recommendation to turn down the application for a massive windfarm at Dersalloch, above Straiton
It was a good game. Five Labour councillors got together to overturn this recommendation - the vote was 5-4 - against the advice of planning officials who recommended refusal, against the wishes of neighbouring Labour controlled East Ayrshire Council (most of the site visual affects East Ayrshire above Dalmellington). Labour Justice Minister and MSP for the area Cathy Jamieson opposed the plan, as did thousands of residents who signed a petition to that effect.
But most of all Prestwick Airport opposed the plan as they foresaw problems with radar affecting flight plans and said openly this could affect the future development of the airport – and as a result could pose a threat to jobs out there.
But hey why should all that matter when Labour could get one over their Tory opponents. A great wheeze – and one that may come back to haunt them.
It is ironic that South Ayrshire should have had control over this decision considering the windfarm will have little impact on Straiton – it won`t be seen or heard from the village so there has been no great raising of voices against the plan there. It will of course bring a cash rental to the community. However it will impact on Dalmellington and maybe even the future of the airport.
It is now up to the Executive to decide on the future of the windfarm – while under the impression that South Ayrshire Council approves of it.
This is the type of behaviour that is putting people off voting – and quite a lot of them have been saying just that as I continue to go round the doors.
Dangerous roads – and driving – have again come to my attention this week – this time the target is the road between Maybole and Maidens, past Culzean..
It would appear a lot of traffic is taking this alternative route - the local theory is they are trying to avoid the speed cameras on the A77. They are speeding round dangerous bends on this lesser road many of them landing in fields and going through hedges according to the locals.
The villagers of Maidens are getting fed up with it – rightly so. Even horses from the riding stable are at risk as cars speed into the village. There is no horse warning sign as you get in other part of the area.
More warning signs and slowing down measures are definitely needed– something for the new council to tackle. I think.
Friday, 6 April 2007
Cash for communities
There was good news for rural communities – in fact all communities – this week when the council approved a cash bonanza.
Starting from now Community Councils are to receive real cash to pay for pet projects they identify as good for the local people. (Up until now the only cash they have received has been to cover administration costs). It could be spent on the creation of community gardens, a clean up litter/grafitti campaign, playschemes for kids, additional facilities for the elderly – the list is endless.
Grants will range from a minimum of £2,000 for smaller communities rising to £5,000. The only snag – if you could describe it as that – is that the project has to get the approval of the council before getting the go-ahead. Councillors see that as a safeguard against spurious schemes. But that`s where County Buildings interference will end. The money is the community`s to spend as the people have decided.
I was out and about in really rural South Ayrshire this week and was disturbed to learn about the amount of crime taking place in the countryside. Farm gates being stolen, machinery damaged – pointless acts of vandalism that cost farmers dear. You don`t tend to hear about this anti-social behaviour. Town crimes seem to make the headlines.
Even more disturbing was learning of the abuse of the Freedom to Roam we now have - the new legislation brought in by the Scottish Parliament... While it lets the rest of us enjoy the countryside there are of course those that abuse the privilege – like the groups of men reportedly going out with lurchers and hunting deer. Brutal and bloody and on our doorstep. The police know about it – but I guess catching them in the act is another thing.
A Straiton resident contacted me this week to complain about the speeding timber lorries he meets on the road. He wanted to show me the extent of the damage they were causing. I pointed out I was aware of the problem driving the road regularly but he insisted on showing me for himself – which led to a most enjoyable drive in a bright red left-hand drive Corvette! Cool! (as the kids say) However he was able to point out not just the damage to the road surface but the real mess the lorries are making of the verges. Plus of course the danger from heavy vehicles driving at excessive speed. I am currently trying to find out what conditions were agreed with the Forestry Commission regarding speed etc when the haulage started.- and what happened to the rail plan.
Well election time is really with us – the dreaded political placards are appearing on the lamp standards all over the place. Me, I would ban them, particularly as the parties are so keen to erect them but aren`t quite so quick to remove them after the results are known. And I am not targeting one particular party – though Labour have been first out the starting gate – they are all as bad as each other!
Starting from now Community Councils are to receive real cash to pay for pet projects they identify as good for the local people. (Up until now the only cash they have received has been to cover administration costs). It could be spent on the creation of community gardens, a clean up litter/grafitti campaign, playschemes for kids, additional facilities for the elderly – the list is endless.
Grants will range from a minimum of £2,000 for smaller communities rising to £5,000. The only snag – if you could describe it as that – is that the project has to get the approval of the council before getting the go-ahead. Councillors see that as a safeguard against spurious schemes. But that`s where County Buildings interference will end. The money is the community`s to spend as the people have decided.
I was out and about in really rural South Ayrshire this week and was disturbed to learn about the amount of crime taking place in the countryside. Farm gates being stolen, machinery damaged – pointless acts of vandalism that cost farmers dear. You don`t tend to hear about this anti-social behaviour. Town crimes seem to make the headlines.
Even more disturbing was learning of the abuse of the Freedom to Roam we now have - the new legislation brought in by the Scottish Parliament... While it lets the rest of us enjoy the countryside there are of course those that abuse the privilege – like the groups of men reportedly going out with lurchers and hunting deer. Brutal and bloody and on our doorstep. The police know about it – but I guess catching them in the act is another thing.
A Straiton resident contacted me this week to complain about the speeding timber lorries he meets on the road. He wanted to show me the extent of the damage they were causing. I pointed out I was aware of the problem driving the road regularly but he insisted on showing me for himself – which led to a most enjoyable drive in a bright red left-hand drive Corvette! Cool! (as the kids say) However he was able to point out not just the damage to the road surface but the real mess the lorries are making of the verges. Plus of course the danger from heavy vehicles driving at excessive speed. I am currently trying to find out what conditions were agreed with the Forestry Commission regarding speed etc when the haulage started.- and what happened to the rail plan.
Well election time is really with us – the dreaded political placards are appearing on the lamp standards all over the place. Me, I would ban them, particularly as the parties are so keen to erect them but aren`t quite so quick to remove them after the results are known. And I am not targeting one particular party – though Labour have been first out the starting gate – they are all as bad as each other!
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