Thursday 25 June 2020


Newsletter from the Mains Estate Residents’ Association – 25th June 2020

Helping the Mains Estate Residents’ Association (MERA) to connect
We are sorry that we cannot hand deliver printed newsletters at this time.  So, if you are a member of a street WhatsApp Group we would be extremely grateful if you could let your neighbours know that they can register for MERA newsletters by email on our website on the ‘Events’ page http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/events.html   If they wish to unsubscribe at any time, then they will find the details at the foot of the newsletter.

COVID-19 Bus Update
From Monday 22 June 2020, Glasgow Citybus Service 15 (Milngavie – Gartnavel Hospital) will operate an increased service Monday to Saturday.  Departures from the Mains Estate to Milngavie Station are currently at 08:18, 09:18 and then 9:57, 10:57, 11:57, 12:57, 13:57, 14:57, 15:57, 16:57 and 17:47.  Departures towards Gartnavel are currently at 08:36, 09:36, 10:36, 11:36, 12:36, 13:36, 14:36, 15:36, 16:36 and 17:20.  However, please note that the last bus terminates at Anniesland. Please check the timetable for the latest information https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/services/GCB/15?all=on

First bus 60A operates Monday through Sunday.  First bus has announced that they will be increasing the frequency of the 60A bus on weekdays from Monday 29 June 2020, from hourly to every 30-mintues.  The current and the new timetables are both available by clicking on the ‘News and service updates’ tab at https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-glasgow/news-and-service-updates

COVID-19 Health Update
We are grateful to the East Dunbartonshire Public, Service User and Carer (PSUC) representatives’ group who have produced the following COVID-19 update:

COVID-19 Waste Update
For updates on waste services please refer to:
Brown, blue and garden recycling bins have all been reintroduced, although food recycling remains suspended.  It is recommended that residents dispose of food waste in your general waste (grey) bin. The Council recommend that you wrap food waste in newspaper or plastic bags before putting into your grey bin.

Mavis Valley Household Recycling Centre
We are grateful for all the work by East Dunbartonshire Council staff to reopen the Mavis Valley Household Waste Recycling Centre; as well as provide the additional temporary facility on Balmore Road, which has been a great success.  This has involved the temporary redeployment of council staff from other services.  We are grateful for all the assistance that has been provided.

Water Feature
It has been highlighted that water levels have been low in the water feature at the junction of Douglas Muir Road and Castlemains Road.  Hacking and Paterson have been made aware of the situation.  Due to the lockdown, Hacking and Paterson were unable to get anyone out to deal with the issue.  Hacking and Paterson are still working and are available, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.  If there are further concerns about the water feature, or something else, then Mr Allan MacLean from Hacking and Paterson will be happy to discuss on 0141 222 4978.

Milngavie Station – Improvement Work
Network Rail are undertaking a five-month programme of essential improvement works at Milngavie station, starting from 6 July 2020.  The works will see the extension of both platforms at the south side of the station from 141m to 205m in length.  This will enable more trains to be ‘stabled’ at the station to better support the timetable.  The trains themselves will not be any longer.  Work will be undertaken most nights to ensure that services continue to operate during the day.  There will be some periods of continuous weekend working in the late autumn, when the line will be closed.  The site compound will be within the station car park and use 32 car parking spaces.  The project is scheduled to be complete in time for the December 2020 timetable change.  Network Rail are sharing information on this project via twitter @NetworkRailSCOT

Scottish Water – Burncrooks Water Improvement Project restarted
Scottish Water has advised us that they have restarted their essential water improvement project.  The works will see the Mains Estate supplied by a new mains water feed from the Milngavie Water Works, instead of from the Burncrooks Reservoir in the Kilpatrick Hills.  You will likely have noticed the new earthworks north of Craigton Road and across Carneddans Road.

Glasgow Airport’s airspace change proposal programme paused until further notice
You may recall a proposal by Glasgow Airport to route departures directly over the Mains Estate and Douglas Academy.  The consultation and airspace design process are having to be repeated to meet a change in consultation procedures.  MERA has been engaged as a community stakeholder.  Given the current COVID-19 outbreak, Glasgow Airport has made the decision to pause the programme until further notice.  In the meantime you can find out more about the Airspace Modernisation Strategy by visiting https://www.caa.co.uk/News/New-Airspace-Modernisation-Strategy-launched-to-overhaul-UK-airspace/.  You can find out more about Glasgow Airport’s specific programme at https://www.glasgowairport.com/airspace/

Ways to keep in contact with MERA
On Facebook at MERA Milngavie.
On Twitter @MeraMilngavie.