Langholm launches petition against changes

FURIOUS residents in Langholm have launched a petition against controversial bus route changes in Dumfries and Galloway.

More than 250 people in the Eskdale town have signed a petition protesting against the changes in bus provision, which has seen two services merged into one in their community.

At Monday’s lengthy special council meeting on the issue Annandale East and Eskdale independent Councillor Denis Male said he had received many complaints about the 120 and 124 bus services, which serve Langholm town centre and Langholm to Samye Ling.

They have been merged and this has “caused a lot of problems within the communities”, according to Councillor Male.

He continued: “What I do have from concerned residents is a fairly large petition that I wish to present to the director after the meeting so that this can go forward – because discussions have already started with Swestrans from the Esk Valley.

“I believe they (Swestrans) know most of the questions and they’re prepared to come to the community council meeting on September 1. Brave people that they are.”

The petition states: “It is not only people coming home from work that is the problem. It is also people, especially the elderly, coming from new town and Holmwood/Meikleholmside area to shop.

“It is a mile and a half to the Co-op. Times for shopping appear to have changed and passengers are only being given 15 minutes to shop on one of the trips.

“They are also unhappy about the bus that is being used. The steps to get into the bus are not designed for elderly use.”

It continues: “The demand is for Swestrans to reinstate the two bus services that have served the communities so well.

“Langholm is the only town in DG that has no connectivity to the rest of the region. Many villages are better served.”