Milngavie Heritage Centre

Professor Paul Bishop will be giving a talk on 'Dougalston: A Tobacco Lord's Estate' on Monday, 10th October 2016, in the Heritage Centre in Milngavie Town Hall. The meeting will start at 07.30 pm. Entry is free.

Consultation on the future of Lennox Park - Milngavie Community Development Trust (MCDT)

MCDT is holding a meeting on 22 September 2016 at 7.00 p.m. in the 
Fraser Centre regarding Lennox Park and in particular the area which is 
currently unusable as a football pitch as it is a red blaze pitch, which 
is no longer approved as a suitable surface to play on. It is a good 
sized pitch and was used regularly years ago by the local football team, 
Milngavie Wanderers, and other teams. Also, Milngavie Primary and other 
organisations regularly used the area for sports and events. 

Some history is that Lennox Park was donated to the people of Milngavie and is looked 
after by EDC under this gift and therefore there are strict regulations 
regarding such gifts. Considerations to take into account are that there 
is no parking or much in the way of vehicle access as there is only a very 
narrow bridge over the railway line and there is a weight limit to this 
bridge which may not even be usable as it has not been used for so long. 
There are also sheltered flats being built in the area of Crossveggate and 
there are already flats in the area which tend to house older people. The 
area at this section of the park has been unused for a long time.
 
We would urge residents to go along and have their say on the park's future use. 

Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Draft Green Network Consultations

Launch of the Draft Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Draft Green Network Strategy consultations

The Sustainability Policy Team is doubling its efforts for sustainability with the launch of the Draft Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and the Council’s Draft Green Network Strategy for a six-week public consultation from 1st August - 12th September 2016 .  With a green theme at the heart of both, each document takes a unique approach to showing how the natural environment underpins our social and economic wellbeing.

The Draft LBAP, prepared by the East Dunbartonshire Local Biodiversity Partnership, illustrates how crucial the natural environment is to the goods and services we depend on, and sets out how the Council and its partners will protect and enhance local ecosystems.
The Draft Green Network Strategy, led by the Council in partnership with the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership, is an innovative document – the first of its kind in Scotland – that maps connected green areas in East Dunbartonshire and proposes improvements, aiming to deliver a number of benefits for biodiversity, access, economic development, flood management, land use planning and health promotion.

Click the following links to view the Draft LBAP and Draft Green Network Strategy  consultations. Paper copies will be placed in libraries, Community Hubs and the main Council offices (Southbank Marina HQ, Southbank House and Broomhill Depot).

The Sustainability Policy Team is keen to engage widely and is encouraging feedback on both documents. Stakeholders are invited to contribute to the consultation by emailing sustainability@eastdunbarton.gov.uk , by phoning 0141 578 8531 or by writing to the Sustainability Policy Team at Southbank House.

Public drop-in sessions are also being held across East Dunbartonshire and we hope to meet some of you there:

Lennoxtown Hub on Wednesday 24 August from 10am – 12 noon
Milngavie Community Education Centre on Friday 26 August from 2pm – 4pm
Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall on Wednesday 31 August from 6pm – 8pm

Consultations on Bears Way 2

Residents are being invited to get involved in designing the next phase of the A81 Bears Way at a series of public meetings.
Public forums will be held on 1 and 7 September in Milngavie Town Hall to inform future work on the cycleway - which offers protected space for people of all ages to cycle in safety and comfort.
Phase 1 of the Bears Way - funded by delivery partners Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Sustrans - runs from Burnbrae roundabout to Hillfoot.
However, it will not be fully functional until all phases are complete - providing a traffic-free route from Milngavie to Glasgow.
The proposed Phase 2 will run from Hillfoot to Kessington and one of the goals is to address issues which have been identified through engagement to date.
Public forums will be held on:
·        Thursday 1 September, 6pm – 8pm in Milngavie Town Hall
·        Wednesday 7 September, 7pm – 9pm in Milngavie Town Hall
Three other 'drop-in' information events will be held in the Allander Leisure Centre to complement the public forums.
Please note these will be informal and a chance for the public to access information ahead of the public forums.
Drop-in information events will take place on:
·        Thursday 1 September, noon - 2pm
·        Saturday 3 September, 11am - 3pm
·        Wednesday 7 September, noon - 2pm
Leaflets are being delivered to properties in Bearsden and Milngavie - giving people information on how they can get involved and help shape the future of the Bears Way.
In addition a Business Forum will be held on Thursday 18 August and a Design Forum is scheduled for Thursday 25 August - including stakeholders and representative groups. Both of these forums are invite only.

Help shape the Council's green dream for the future

Courtesy of Councillor Manjinder Shergill

Two vitally important draft documents, with a green theme at their heart, are being launched next month and local people are being urged to have their say.
The publication of the Draft Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and the innovative Draft Green Network Strategy on 1 August kick starts a six week public consultation.
Each document takes a unique approach to showing how the natural environment underpins our social and economic wellbeing and strengthens the Council’s commitment to sustainability.
The Draft LBAP, prepared by the East Dunbartonshire Local Biodiversity Partnership, illustrates how crucial the natural environment is to the goods and services we depend on and sets out how the Council and its partners will protect and enhance local ecosystems.
The Draft Green Network Strategy, led by the Council in partnership with the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership is the first of its kind in Scotland.
It maps connected green areas in East Dunbartonshire and proposes improvements, aiming to deliver a number of benefits for biodiversity, access, transport, economic development, flood management, land use planning and health promotion.
You can view and comment on the Draft LBAP and Draft Green Network Strategy through the consultation pages of the Council’s website:www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council/consultations
Paper copies are available in libraries, Community Hubs and the main Council offices at Southbank Marina HQ, Southbank House and Broomhill Depot.
Drop-in sessions are also being held across East Dunbartonshire to give people the chance to speak directly with officers.  Details are as follows:

Lennoxtown Hub                                         Wednesday 24 August 10am – 12pm 
Milngavie Community Educaiton Centre                Friday 26 August 2pm – 4pm 
Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall                        Wednesday 31 August 6pm – 8pm        

In the meantime, there are a number of ways to share your views. You can:

·         Email comments to sustainability@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 
·         Write to the Sustainability Policy Team, Southbank House, Southbank Business Park, Kirkintilloch, G66 1XQ.
·         Call the team on 0141 578 8531 to discuss. 

East Dunbartonshire's Trails and Tales Project

Courtesy of Councillor Manjinder Shergill

Over the last two years hundreds of people from across East Dunbartonshire have come together at events run by the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust to help capture and immortalise stories from local history.
The ‘Trails and Tales’ project, focusing on the rich and varied past of the area, captured the imagination of communities and culminated in a special exhibition featuring objects gathered at events over the past 24 months.
And now, local people are being asked to get involved for the last time and help decide the detail of 11 outdoor trails which will be installed across the area as focal points to ensure the lasting legacy of the project.

Evening consultation events, from 7-9pm, are being held over the summer at various locations.
The events will be fun and relaxed with refreshments provided. The details are as follows:

·        Bearsden & Milngavie & Westerton
Wednesday 17 August, MIlngavie Library, Allander Rd, Milngavie , G62 8PN
·        Twechar
Thursday 18 August, Twechar Healthy Living Centre , St John's Way, Main St, Kilsyth G65
·        Kirkintilloch & Lenzie
Tuesday 20 September, William Patrick Library, 2-4 W High St, Glasgow G66 1AD
·        Bishopbriggs & Auchinairn
Wednesday 28 September, Bishopbriggs Library, 170 Kirkintilloch Rd Bishopbriggs, G64 2LX

To book a place at an event near you please check out: www.booking.edlc.co.uk or drop an email to: info@trailsandtales.org. Alternatively you can ring 0141 777 3143      

For more information on the project please visit: www.trailsandtales.org

Imminent Major Roadworks

Imminent Major Roadworks

Here's some information about pretty major roadworks which are happening in the near future.

SGN is to carry out gas main replacement works on a section of the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Park Road and Clober Road, Milngavie.  The existing gas mains have come to the end of their operational life cycle. 

In order for the works to be carried out in a safe manner, East Dunbartonshire Council will require to close the following sections of road, from 09.30 hours on Monday 30 May 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 10 July 2016.

1.         Craigdhu Avenue, Milngavie, Closed from its junction with the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, southwards for a distance of 10 metres or thereby.

        The alternative route for vehicles are by way of Craigdhu Avenue, Braehead Avenue, Drumcarn Drive, the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Crossburn Avenue, and Vivian Avenue, Milngavie, and these routes will be sign posted.

2.        Crossburn Avenue, Milngavie, Closed from its junction with the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, southwards for a distance of 10 metres or thereby.

        The alternative route for vehicles are by way of Crossburn Avenue, Braehead Avenue, Drumcarn Drive, the B8050 Craigdhu Road, and Vivian Avenue, Milngavie, and these routes will be sign posted.

3.        Vivian Avenue, Milngavie, Closed from its junction with the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, southwards for a distance of 10 metres or thereby.

        The alternative route for vehicles are by way of Vivian Avenue, Braehead Avenue, Crossburn Avenue, and the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, and these routes will be sign posted.

4.        Campbell Avenue, Milngavie, Closed from its junction with the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, southwards for a distance of 10 metres or thereby.

        The alternative route for vehicles are by way of Campbell Avenue, Braehead Avenue, Crossburn Avenue, and the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, and these routes will be sign posted.

 The temporary road closures will only come into operation when road closure and diversion route signing is in place. 

Access to the closed sections of road will only be maintained for vehicles engaged in the works.  There will be no access through the closed sections of road for emergency service vehicles.

In addition, Clober Road, Milngavie, will also require to be closed between its junctions with the B8050 Craigdhu Road and Balvie Road, Milngavie, from 09.30 hours on Monday 27 June 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 21 August 2016.

The alternative routes for vehicles are by way of Clober Road, Craigton Road, Hunter Road, and the B8050 Craigdhu Road, Milngavie, and these routes will be sign posted.

Access to the closed section of the road will be maintained for vehicles engaged in the works.  Access to the closed section of road will only be maintained for emergency service vehicles and those vehicles requiring access to properties adjacent to the closed section of road, by way of the northern end of the closure.

Advance warning signs will be erected on street one week prior to the start of the temporary road closures

Parking Charges

Parking charges will be brought in at certain car parks in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie from 4 July 2016 - but only for people who leave their vehicles longer than two hours.
Seven Council car parks will be affected, with 21 remaining free to park all day, every day.
The charges are being introduced to help pay for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) locally, but crucially they will also help to support town centre businesses by encouraging turnover and freeing up spaces for shoppers.
Before the Council took over responsibility for enforcing parking restrictions from the Police, the Scottish Government required that the DPE scheme be self-financing.
The approved business case made it clear that enforcement fines would not be enough to cover costs and - as a result - charging for some council-owned parking spaces would be needed in town centres.
However, it will only affect a limited number of car parks and parking will remain free for the first two hours in every Council parking space across East Dunbartonshire - with parking free in the evenings and at weekends.
Residents living in domestic properties with no allocated parking within town centres - who are considered to be detrimentally affected by the introduction of charging - will be eligible to apply for a parking permit.
This will be limited at the moment to one per property and there will be a charge to cover administrative costs.
As detailed previously, it is not intended to provide separate permits for town centre businesses in the first phase of delivery.
Charges will be brought in for the following car parks - which have been upgraded and capacities increased where possible:
·        Milngavie - Douglas Street, Mugdock Road, Stewart Street (North) and Woodburn Way
·        Kirkintilloch - Barleybank and William Patrick Library
·        Bearsden - Roman Road.
The first two hours are free, with a sliding scale thereafter, up to a maximum of £5:
·        0-2 hours - free
·        2-4 hours - £1
·        3-4 hours - £2
·        over 4 hours - £5
All of the car parks will be monitored. Any additional income accrued will be ring-fenced for parking projects.
Charging will be introduced for 460 spaces, while 749 will remain free of charge at all times in Milngavie, Kirkintilloch and Bearsden. The free car parks include:
·        Milngavie - Mugdock Road (east), Riverside, Stewart Street (South), Ellangowan, Kersland, Milngavie Station, Milngavie Town Hall and Milngavie Library
·        Kirkintilloch - David Donnelly Place, High Street, Catherine Street, Rochdale Place, Peel Park, Shamrock Street, Freeland Place, Oxford Street and Southbank House
·        Bearsden - Brookwood, The Glebe, Bearsden Burgh Hall and Bearsden Station.

Befriending Service for Young People

East Dunbartonshire Council is looking for people to help make a positive difference in a young person's life by volunteering as a Befriender.
Since 1998 the Befriending Service has helped numerous young people across East Dunbartonshire but more are needed to help some of the area's most vulnerable young people develop into confident and happy young adults.
The Young Persons Befriending Scheme provides a befriending service for young people aged between eight and 16 years in East Dunbartonshire. 
A befriender is a volunteer who spends time with young people who are having difficulties in their lives and need a little extra help. They socialise with a young person, giving them some time out from the stresses and strains of their everyday lives.
Volunteers befriend young people on a one-to one basis and go with them on social outings, for a bite to eat, to do sports or even just a walk and a chat once every few weeks. The aim is to increase the confidence and self-esteem of the young person and to be someone they can trust.

The volunteers will need to attend training once a week for eight weeks and need to provide two references, a report from their GP, join the PVG scheme and provide information for a background report. After the training, volunteers are asked to commit to a year with the young person they are matched with. During that time, they will receive expenses for travel, food and the activities they do with the young person.

If you are aged over 18 and would like to find out more about Befriending, please call the Service on 0300 123 4510 or 07901510105. 

Big Bike Fest

People of all ages and abilities are gearing up for an out-of-this world celebration of cycling in Bearsden and Milngavie.
From pedal-powered cinemas and extra-terrestrials to African adventures and local history rides, there's something for everyone at The Big Bike Fest.
There will be a host of spoke-tacular events from 28 May to 5 June, culminating in The Big Bike Fest Gala near Allander Leisure Centre.
The free family gala includes an exciting stunt show, ‘funny’ bikes, cycle lessons, a skills track, bouncy castles and more. 
Other events during The Big Bike Fest include:
·         An Evening with Mark Beaumont: Africa Solo (1 June at Milngavie Town Hall) - join the celebrated cyclist as he recounts riding the entire length of Africa. Free, but book tickets now to avoid disappointment.
·         Family Night Ride and Cycle Cinema (3 June - meet at Bearsden Primary) - help power the cycle cinema and enjoy a screening of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'
·         Belles on Bikes: Ladies Night Ride (31 May)
·         Midweek Meander for people over the age of 60 (31 May) - taking in local cycle routes and areas of interest
·         Sunday Cycle Skool (29 May at the Allander) - calling all mums, dads and mini-cyclists - come along and spend the morning learning to cycle, topped off with a group ride in the afternoon with Sustrans Sunday Cycling Skool. Free, but booking essential.
·         Bike Breakfast with Dr Bike (1 June) 
·         Mr Chipping’s History Ride (4 June) - join the Victorian headmaster for an historic tour of Bearsden by bicycle
·         And much, much more - visit www.thebigbikefest.org.uk for the full list and to book.
The Big Bike Fest is being delivered by The Bike Station Glasgow - supported by the Council and Sustrans.
For more information, visit www.thebigbikefest.org.uk , www.facebook.com/thebigbikefest and follow @BigBikeFest on Twitter.

Scottish Gas Network - work in Craigdhu Road and Park Road - next 14 weeks

Scottish Gas Network (SGN) is undertaking work to up-grade 6km of the gas network in Milngavie. This is part of a £750,000 investment programme. The work has begun in Craigdhu Road and will move on to Park Road in due course. The work, as a whole, will take about 14 weeks to complete. Temporary traffic lights will be used to control traffic movements through the works.

You can refer any specific enquiries about this work to the Project Manager, Scott Barbour, on 0141-4184188 (8am to 4pm). Outwith these times you can call SGN's Customer Service Team on 0800 9121700.

Community Grants Scheme

Information about the Community Grants Scheme can be found at;

www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/community-grants-scheme

As well as application forms, etc you can also find the most recent edition of the Community Grants Scheme Newsletter.

Impending roadworks - from an email from Councillor Manjinder Shergill

Neighbourhood Services is to carry out resurfacing works on the A81 Maryhill Road between its junction with Coronation Way and a point northwest of Rannoch Drive at the access to Garscube Gatehouse, Bearsden.

In order for the works to be carried out in a safe manner, East Dunbartonshire Council will require to close the southeast carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road from its junction with Coronation Way southeastwards to a point 40 metres or thereby northwest of its junction with Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

The alternative route for vehicles will be by way of the northwest carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road.

In addition, East Dunbartonshire Council will also require to close the northwest carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road from its junction with Coronation Way southeastwards to a point 40 metres or thereby northwest of its junction with Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

The alternative route for vehicles will be by way of the southeast carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road.

Please note that only one carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road will be closed at a time.

Furthermore, two gaps in the central reservation of the A81 Maryhill Road between its junctions with Coronation Way and the A81 Milngavie Road, Bearsden, will require to be closed from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

In addition, one gap in the central reservation of the A81 Maryhill Road between its junctions with Coronation Way and Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, will require to be closed from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

Furthermore, during the works, Coronation Way, Bearsden, will also require to be closed from its junction with the A81 Maryhill Road, Bearsden, southwards for a distance of 10 metres or thereby, from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

Access to the closed section of road will only be maintained for emergency service vehicles and vehicles engaged in the works. 

A81 Maryhill Road, Bearsden - Temporary Traffic Management

Neighbourhood Services is to carry out drainage works on the southeast bound carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road between its junctions with Coronation Way and Rannoch Drive, Bearsden.  In order for the works to be carried out in a safe manner, a temporary traffic management system will be put in place on the southeast bound carriageway of Maryhill Road which will involve reducing the carriageway from two lanes to one lane using signs, cones and barriers, from 9.30am on Wednesday 17 February 2016 until 4pm on Friday 19 February 2016. 

In addition, drainage works will require to take place on the northwest bound carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road between its junctions with Rannoch Drive and Coronation Way, Bearsden.  In order for the works to be carried out in a safe manner, a temporary traffic management system will be put in place on the northwest bound carriageway of Maryhill Road which will involve reducing the carriageway from two lanes to one lane using signs, cones and barriers, from 9.30am on Monday 22 February 2016 until 4pm on Friday 26 February 2016.

The use of a temporary traffic management system will result in delays to traffic in the area.

(derived from message from Manjinder Sergill)

Flood Risk Management Strategies - (from an email from Councillor Manjinder Singh) - Consultation Meeting; 15 February, Kessington Hall

On 11 January, The Scottish Government launched Flood Risk Management Strategies to coordinate efforts to tackle flooding in Scotland.  They set the direction of future flood risk management, helping to target investment and coordinate actions across public bodies.  
A strategy is available for each of the 14 Local Plan Districts across Scotland.  
The Local Plan District for the south west of Scotland is the Clyde and Loch Lomond LPD.
The Flood Risk Management Strategy for this area is available for review via the SEPA website here http://apps.sepa.org.uk/FRMStrategies/clyde-loch-lomond.html
The plan below shows the extent of the Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) of the Local Plan District which includes East Dunbartonshire Council area:

PVA 11/04 - Kilsyth to Bearsden - north of Glasgow Cityhttp://apps.sepa.org.uk/FRMStrategies/pdf/pva/PVA_11_04_Full.pdf

A Local Flood Risk Management Plan is now being developed to detail how the Flood Risk Management Strategy will be implemented over the coming years.
To support this, a non – statutory consultation event is being held for our area to ensure a greater awareness of flood risk, the Flood Risk Management Strategy document and the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Plan.
The drop in session engagement exhibition will be held at:
Location – Kessington Public Hall, Lesser Hall, Milngavie Rd, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 2DP
Date – Monday, 15 February 2016        Time – 2pm to 7pm

The following information may be of interest. 

The latest in a series of special events that are exploring the impact of the First World War on East Dunbartonshire is taking place in Milngavie.  

The fun, free event, which will take place in Milngavie Town Hall on Saturday 13 February between 12pm and 4pm, is part of the East Dunbartonshire's War project and will feature a number of interesting activities for people of all ages. It follows on from previous successful events held in Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Bearsden and Lennoxtown last year.

Visitors will be also able to experience what life was like for children during the War with an arts and crafts workshop, dressing up and other fun activities such as the 1914 photo corner. You can take part in a First World War Photoshop activity at the pop-up Fab Lab while the living history group The Gordon Highlanders 1914-18 will bring history to life for visitors as they recreate as accurately as possible what life was like for soldiers during the First World War.
Experts from the Scottish Military Research Group will be on hand to help people learn more about research as well as their wartime memorabilia such as medals, postcards and photographs while there will be stories from the Archives on display. 

You can join in with a drama workshop or sit down and listen to some storytelling from the First World War. You can also learn what life like in the trenches and on the home front from a series of informative displays. 

The East Dunbartonshire's War project is generously supported by the Scottish Government Public Library Improvement Fund and East Dunbartonshire Council. Entry is free and free refreshments will be provided.  

Keep up-to-date with East Dunbartonshire's War and find out about future events by following us on Facebook -www.facebook.com/EastDunbartonshiresWar 

Changes to Waste Collection Days

East Dunbartonshire Council's Waste Team is moving to 7-day working from
24th January 2016. This service change means current routes have been
altered and waste collection days being changed in some areas.

Leaflets and calendars have been put through doors giving details of the changes. 

This area's collection day for food caddies will be Friday; our bin collection day is going to be a Saturday. It looks as if our blue and brown recycling bins should be collected on 

Saturday, the 30th of January, under the new arrangements; our general waste bins will 

first be collected under the new arrangements on the 6th of February. 

The new service commences on Sunday 24th January 2016 and EDC has issued new
calendars for 2016 earlier than normal (usually calendars are April to
March). This service change has caused schedules to be reviewed and routes
to be altered. The new calendar you have received will replace the old 2015
Calendar. Green waste collections will now resume on Monday 13th March 2016 for 

this area. This date may be later than previously indicated on previous calendars.