Storm at A80 meeting
A ROUTINE meeting of a local community group attracted record crowds last week amidst claims that homeowners whose properties border the A80 may be compensated for noise levels incurred during its upgrade
The News has learned that Cumbernauld Community Forum's meeting acted as a magnet for more than 140 locals who believe that the massive two year long engineering project will create an inescapable noise nuisance.
There was standing room only at the meeting which was held in the district court room in Bron Way last Tuesday.
But this would not appear to be the last forum for the angry crowds, after it emerged that many intend to travel to the meeting of the North Area Partnership in Stepps tomorrow (Thursday) where representatives from Transport Scotland and contractors Highways (Scotland) will be among the speakers.
Preparatory work for the upgrade would seem to have struck a wrong note with locals amidst claims that too many trees have been felled to accommodate it.
There have also been claims that the earliest stages of the work have plunged Condorrat and Greenfaulds into traffic chaos as road engineers move in.
Locals did not hold back in their disapproval for the way the matter has been handled - and CCF Chairman Billy Lees said that he was astonished at the huge turnout.
"When I looked at the crowd I could hardly believe what I was seeing. There just wasn't room for everyone," said Mr Lees.
"We are expecting a huge turnout at the North Area Partnership and there seems to be demand for another public meeting on the same subject," added Mr Lees.
There would appear to be a widespread perception that Transport Scotland has not played fair with locals, amidst claims that residents have not been kept informed of developments which will affect them.
Among them is the man who ordered the trees to be planted 34 years ago, former Cumbernauld Development Corporation landscape boss Bobby Johnstone.
This week he told that News that he continues to have serious doubts about their removal.
"They were put there as both a safety barrier and a barrier for noise. Any noise barrier put in their place would be non-functional because there isn't enough room for one," said Mr Johnstone.
"Transport Scotland told us they going to liase with the community but in my view it is a bit late now because these trees have been taken away," said Mr Johnstone.
"They told us they would send a community liaision officer to our meetings but they never did," he added.
The News has discussed the matter with Transport Scotland - whose spokesman admitted that compensation may be possible for residents.
However it would not appear to be in the form that some have anticipated.
He said: "If any local residents feel noise levels generated by the construction works on the M80 are untenable, they are encouraged to make contact and we will consider if an offer of grant for noise insulation to their property is appropriate. Only in very exceptional circumstances would compensation be appropriate during construction work."
The spokesman insisted that the decision to remove the trees was unavoidable but that provision WILL be made to return these to the area.
"The removal of the trees adjacent to the construction site was necessary in order to first gain access to the site and to prevent birds nesting in the area, which could have led to the cessation of all work during nesting season. Any trees removed will be replaced as part of the new planting to be carried out as part of the works," he said.
"The removed trees offered little or no noise mitigation protection and no increase in road noise has been identified since their removal. The intention is to install, as early as possible, noise mitigation measures in the form of bunds and solid barriers to reduce any impact on the local community from both road construction activities and from traffic," said the spokesman.
And he insisted that locals would NOT be inconvenienced by the roadworks.
"The contract requires that two lanes of traffic are kept open at all times during normal working hours. While a reduced speed limit will be introduced through the works, alternative routes through the town will not be signposted and traffic will be encouraged to remain on the A80," he said.
"Therefore, we anticipate the impact on Cumbernauld as minimal," added the spokesperson.
The North Area Partnership meeting will take place tomorrow at 6pm at Stepps Primary & Cultural Centre, Blenheim Avenue, Stepps.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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