Newsletter from the Mains Estate Residents’ Association (MERA) – 28^th May 2020

We hope that you are enjoying the lovely spring weather.

Phased Reintroduction of Recycling Collections

Both brown and blue bins will be uplifted this week.

Green garden refuse bins will be uplifted from next week.

For updates please refer to:

https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/council-democracy/covid-19-waste-update

Mavis Valley Household Recycling Centre to reopen

East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) has announced that Mavis Valley Household Waste Recycling Centre will reopen to the public, with restrictions, on Monday 1 June.  It will be open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm and you must follow the important information and restrictions detailed below.

Please note:  Journeys to the Mavis Valley Household Waste Recycling Centre on Balmuildy Road, must only be undertaken if they are essential.  By this EDC mean the waste cannot be stored without causing risk of injury, health or harm.  No other reason for the journey would be considered a legitimate purpose.  EDC advise that if you can temporarily store your waste or recycling in a way that does not pose a risk to yours or others safety or human health, then you must do so.

In order to meet anticipated demand, and because the Mavis Valley Household Waste Recycling Centre can be accessed from both the Bishopbriggs direction AND the Milngavie/Bearsden direction (from Balmore Road), an additional, temporary facility has been secured at ATR skip hire so that recycling can be safely off-loaded from each direction.

ATR Skip Hire - Temporary Recycling Facility

Vehicles travelling from Bearsden/Milngavie via Balmore Road will use this facility.

Mavis Valley Household Waste Recycling Centre

Vehicles travelling from Bishopbriggs via Kirkintilloch Road/Balmuildy Road will use this facility, Covid-19 Important Information and Restrictions.

New restrictions have been introduced by EDC in line with advice on social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic and these must be followed.

·       You should not visit the facility if you or a member of your household is/are unwell and have Covid-19 symptoms.  You should be following the 7-day self-isolation guidance if you are unwell, or the 14 day stay at home guidance if a member of your household is unwell.

·       A maximum of two people from the same household will be permitted on site, to assist with and to speed up the process of unloading.

·       Only cars are permitted.  No access for vans, trailers or other vehicles will be allowed.

·       ID to prove East Dunbartonshire residence is required.  The driver should have their UK photo card driver’s licence or a recent Council Tax / Utility bill showing their East Dunbartonshire address.  If you do not have this, you will be turned away.

·       Opening hours are strictly 0800 - 1600.  No access will be allowed out with these times.  Drivers queuing prior to the sites opening will be moved on.  The latest entry to the sites will be 15 minutes prior to site closing at 1545.

·       Entrance is at the discretion of East Dunbartonshire Council and will be managed by on-site employees.

·       Please be patient, expect long delays and be prepared to queue.

·       Please remember to stay in your vehicle while queuing to aid with social distancing. Please do not leave your vehicle until you are instructed to do so by site staff.

·       Traffic management measures will be in place.  

·       Staff will not be able to assist with carrying items, please consider and only bring what you can manage to remove from the vehicle.

·       You must observe social distancing at all times.  If you do not comply with social distancing guidance, you will be asked to leave and the site may have to close temporarily.

·       Access will be limited to a set number of vehicles at any one time.

·       During busy periods or if you arrive near to closing time, you may be asked to leave and return the next day.

Non-Trade vans and cars with trailers will only be accepted from Monday 8th June and only during the following restricted hours.

·       Morning     0800 – 1000

·       Afternoon  1400 - 1600

Helping MERA to connect

We would be grateful if you could email this newsletter to your neighbours as we are not currently in a position to hand-deliver newsletters.  We would be grateful if as many residents as possible could register for the newsletter, so that we can keep in regular contact.  Your neighbours can register for future newsletters on our website on the ‘Events’ page http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/events.html  If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, then you will find the details at the foot of the newsletter.

Ways to keep in contact with MERA

To contact us by email please write to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk

You can also find us on Facebook at MERA Milngavie and on Twitter @MeraMilngavie

#MainsEstate  #Milngavie

Newsletter from the Mains Estate Residents’ Association (MERA) – week beginning 27^th April 2020

We would be grateful if you could email this newsletter to your neighbours as we are not currently in a position to hand-deliver newsletters.  We would be grateful if as many residents as possible could register for the newsletter, so that we can keep in regular contact.  You and your neighbours can register for future newsletters on our website on the ‘Events’ page http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/events.html  If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, then you will find the details at the foot of the newsletter.

Phased Reintroduction of Recycling Collections

We are pleased to advise that East Dunbartonshire Council have reviewed the current arrangements for waste collection.  They are now in a position to reintroduce recycling collections, in a phased approach over the next six weeks.  This week the brown bins used for glass, cans and plastic, will be collected.  In two-weeks time the blue bins used for paper and cardboard will be collected.  In four-weeks time both brown and blue bins will be collected.  The latest COVID-19 updates are posted here:

https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/council-democracy

In the meantime, please can all residents refrain from putting household waste into street litter bins.  There has also been an issue with fly-tipping of garden waste and building materials in the Estate woodland.  The Estate woodland is privately owned; much is owned by residents.  If you observe fly-tipping in the woodland, please report to the Dumb Dumpers Stop Line: www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/DumbDumpers

If the incident is on-going, or is believed to be a hazardous nature, or is near a watercourse, then the Dumb Dumpers Stop Line will pass the information to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or Police Scotland, as appropriate.  If the incident is not urgent or the waste concerned is non-hazardous, then the information will be passed to the local authority for investigation.  Thank you for helping to keep the estate clean and tidy.  Thank you also to our wonderful volunteers that remove litter from the Estate woodland on a weekly basis.

Rats

Over the past few weeks, residents in a number of streets have observed rats in their gardens.  We would urge anyone who spots vermin to continue to contact East Dunbartonshire Council.  We would also suggest that you consider temporarily removing bird feeders, which can on occasion attract vermin.  Any waste being stored should be in sealed bags or containers, and preferably stored in a garage or garden shed.

Ways to keep in contact with MERA

To contact us by email please write to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk

You can also find us on Facebook at MERA Milngavie and on Twitter @MeraMilngavie

#MainsEstate  #Milngavie

News Update from the  Mains Estate Residents’ Association (MERA)

Waste and recycling

MERA has contacted East Dunbartonshire Council to enquire about the possibility of increased waste/recycling uplifts during the lockdown.  The latest COVID-19 waste updates are posted here:

https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/council-democracy/covid-19-waste-update

In the meantime, please can all residents refrain from putting household waste into street litter bins.  Several of the bins on the estate are overflowing with bags of household waste.  Thank you for helping to keep the estate clean and tidy.

Temporary Restriction to Dumbrock Road

There will be a temporary restriction from 47 to 49 Dumbrock Road on Monday 20 April 2020 between 09:30 and 15:30.  This is to enable Scottish Water to repair damaged ironwork.

East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership - Public, Service User and Carer (PSUC) group - Newsletter - Spring 2020

Please see the Spring Newsletter from PSUC

http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/docs/PSUC_Spring_2020.pdf

Emergency numbers for utilities

National Gas Emergency Tel 0800 111999

Scottish Power Energy Networks Tel 0800 0929290

National Power Cut Number Tel 105

Scottish Water 0800 0778778

Ways to keep in contact with MERA

If you, or your friends and neighbours, don't yet receive our newsfeed blog by email and would like to do so then you can Register on our website on the ‘Events’ page http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/events.html  If you wish to unsubscribe from automatic updates at any time, the details are at the foot of the newsfeed.

To contact us by email please write to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk

You can also find us on Facebook at MERA Milngavie and on Twitter @MeraMilngavie

#MainsEstate  #Milngavie

Coronavirus: COVID-19

At difficult times like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together as a community and look after one another.

So if you are unwell with possible Coronavirus virus symptoms, please follow the guidance on the NHS Inform website.  Don’t go directly to your GP, hospital or other healthcare environment.

If you are at home and need some help with transportation, grocery shopping, emotional/social support or information/advice, you can find local support here.

If you are well and not at risk, and would like to help those affected by Coronavirus in our community, there are volunteer roles you can sign up for.  Volunteer Scotland's website lists all the volunteering opportunities available in our area.  Another good contact is East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the MERA AGM will be postponed until further notice.  We hope to reschedule as soon as possible, and will keep the community updated via our social media channels and this blog.

In the meantime, we hope you and your family stay safe and well, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Ways to keep in contact with MERA

If you, or your friends and neighbours, don't yet receive our newsfeed by email and would like to do so then you can Register on our website on the ‘Events’ page.  If you wish to unsubscribe from automatic updates, the details are at the foot of the email.

To contact us by email please write to secretary@mera-milngavie.co.uk

You can also find us on Facebook at MERA Milngavie and on Twitter @MeraMilngavie

#Mainsestate  #Milngavie

#coronavirus  #COVID-19

Reminder:  Public Consultation Deadline Tuesday 10th December 2019 (5pm) - Your opportunity to comment

Developers propose 659 properties on The Mains Estate Greenbelt

There is still time to respond to East Dunbartonshire Council’s public consultation on the Main Issues Report (MIR) for the next Local Development Plan (LDP2).  A link on how to respond is provided below.  LDP2 will set out the strategy for the future use of land in Milngavie and Bearsden.

It is important that we support the council in its’ ambition to protect our greenbelt and direct new development to brownfield sites.

Why?

Because the greenbelt remains under threat.  Developers are seeking to change the designation of our greenbelt.  The Council advises that developers have sought to develop at least 659 properties on the greenbelt around the Mains Estate, Prestonfield, Craigdhu Wedge, Mosshead and North Baljaffray! (please see map at link below)

How you can respond

Please find details on how to respond at the following link: 

http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/docs/MIRConsultationReminder.pdf

Mains Estate Residents' Association