Plea for bus shelter

DUMFRIES bus users have renewed calls for a shelter at a stop along a well used route in Lochside.

Resident Henry Grierson first raised the issue early last year – saying the siting of a shelter on Carrick Road was important for those in need of a seat and to allow people to seek cover from the rain.

More than 12 months on he has grown frustrated at the lack of action after being told a shelter was going to be constructed.

This week Henry said: “It’s one of the busiest stops on the route to Lochside.”

North West Dumfries councillor Graham Bell also provided his backing and added: “This has been a well used bus stop for a number of years, and it’s a very important one in Lochside.

“People want shelter when they are standing outside in the rain. Hopefully a shelter will be erected sometime soon.”

SWestrans is responsible for the installation and replacement of bus stops and shelters in the region.

They did not offer comment, however, it is understood there are still plans for a shelter on Carrick Road.

Henry also voiced his disappointment over the state of the pavements and other public areas along Carrick Road and surrounding streets.

And Cllr Bell added that he had been an elected member for over 19 years and was growing increasingly frustrated about the lack of joined up thinking between Dumfries and Galloway Council and social landlords in the area.

One issue cited was a tree at Ninian Court, on land belonging to Home Group, that was in danger of falling.

Cllr Bell had previously reported the matter and was told it was being looked in to.

He said: “There are too many grey areas, we need to get our heads round the table to get these issues sorted out.”

Steve Heywood, from Home Group, said: “We would be more than happy to meet with all parties to talk through any issues there might be.

“With regards to the tree, we were made aware of an issue round Easter time. One of our colleagues visited the same day and saw that a tree had been cut down. They presumed it was the tree in question, and asked our contractor to remove it. It appears that wasn’t the tree in question, and we apologise to Cllr Bell for the confusion.

“We have asked our contractor to visit the area this afternoon (Wednesday) to see what needs to be done to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”