Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Report May 2013

The Council’s new flagship £700,000 park and ride facility at Port Glasgow station – funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) - is open for business. There are 150 spaces available, including 8 for disabled drivers, and parking is free all day. There is a frequent train service to Glasgow from Port Glasgow station as it is on both the Gourock and Wemyss Bay lines. The investment in the park and ride follows earlier investment by SPT in the upgrading of Port Glasgow bus terminus.

The resurfacing of part of Gryffe Road in Kilmacolm (between Bridge of Weir Road and Houston Road) is scheduled for Tuesday 7 May to Saturday 11 May. Diversions will be in place. This is part of the Council’s record £17m investment in upgrading roads, footways and street lighting over the next 3 years.

I am delighted to report that an interim refurbishment of pupil and staff toilets at Kilmacolm Primary School will be carried out during the coming summer. The full £3.7m refurbishment of the school is scheduled to commence in July 2015 and be completed by October 2016. The provision of the new sports pitch is planned for financial year 2014/15.

The proposed redevelopment of the site of the former Kilmacolm Community Centre and adjoining shops is progressing, with a planning application likely to be submitted in the near future. I am advised that the new development will comprise of two shop units – one large and one small - on the ground floor and flats above.

I was invited by Quarriers to act as an independent scrutineer for the recent Common Users’ Referendum to decide if they would continue as property manager. After a long, and at times difficult, meeting in Somerville Weir Hall on 17 April, a clear majority of those who voted agreed to support Quarriers continuing to manage the common areas on their behalf. Quarriers recognise that residents do have a number of concerns over the basis of how they charge for their services and the quality of the services. I would hope that Quarriers will work with residents to try to resolve these issues in a spirit of genuine partnership.

I was pleased to hear when I was at the meeting in Somerville Weir Hall that the plans for the provision of a passenger lift and an accessible toilet are progressing well. This work is being funded by a £41,000 grant from the Council.

My advice surgeries are advertised on the Council’s website (www.inverclyde.gov.uk) and in The Greenock Telegraph. My next surgery in Kilmacolm is on Tuesday 28 May in the Community Centre from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. I also have a surgery in St Francis Primary School, East Barmoss Avenue, Port Glasgow on Tuesday 14 May from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m.