Council outlines new transport objectives
"In a large rural county like Wiltshire, many people depend on their cars for their everyday lives, and so LTP4 looks to support motorists and not penalise them," she added.Any approved plans are expected to run until 2038 and it is hoped that focusing different plans on each geographic locations unique circumstances will allow the council access to more central government funding.Whilst the proposal received council backing - others raised concerns about public transport and access to it."The consultation report identified a significant issue with accessibility at rail stations and on buses," said Colin Gale, a member of the Pewsey Vale Rail Users Group."The local transport plan has not been updated to scope this issue and identify corrective accessibility measures."Ms Reay told him that discussions were "ongoing" with industry partners and that there would be further detail in future plans.The plan will now be considered by the full council next week.There will be opportunities for our communities to share their views on any draft delivery plans during the course of the year.
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Rural council tax to rise by £380 under Rayner plan
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Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Work to begin on £59m that will connect Paisley and Glasgow Airport
Renfrewshire Council's AMIDS South project has received £38.7million from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund, with the Council committing a further £18.8million, to create a new road bridge across Paisley Harbour, a 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river and a network of roads, cycling and walking links from the town centre train station and bus interchange to AMIDS, Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan. In addition, a new road from Renfrew Road to the bridge crossing will be created which will connect into the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus, as will dedicated walking and cycling routes. A safe access route from Gallowhill using the underpass on the former railway line will be constructed using £1.5million provided by Transport Scotland. READ MORE: Thug climbed drainpipe to brutally stab man in Lanarkshire home Economic projections have estimated the project could boost the local economy by an additional £136million in private sector investment and cut carbon emissions by 21,700 tonnes, while creating new job opportunities and helping existing and new companies to grow and expand. Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: 'AMIDS is one of the most significant developments in Renfrewshire's recent history as it will bring high-quality jobs, world-leading industry and provide a significant boost to the area's economy so it is important that we provide the appropriate access to Scotland's home of manufacturing innovation. 'This project will not only provide infrastructure to better connect communities to education and employment opportunities, but it will also significantly improve the offer to organisations looking to locate here with enhanced access to the airport and the fourth-busiest train station in Scotland. 'This will be another flagship project for Renfrewshire following the completion of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which included the new Renfrew Bridge, and will be further proof of the Council's ability to successfully deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects which bring substantial benefits now and for generations to come.' The new infrastructure will complement the recently constructed Renfrew Bridge which was part-funded by the UK Government and links Renfrew with Clydebank, Yoker and the wider Glasgow City Region. Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: 'Backed by over £38million in Government funding, this flagship project will deliver a major boost for Paisley and for Scotland as a whole. "It's exactly the kind of investment behind last month's announcement of nearly £340 million from our Levelling Up Fund to communities across the UK. "The new bridge will provide safer, better-connected transport links for local people, businesses and schools, while driving economic growth and creating thousands of new jobs – a key part of our Plan for Change.' Farrans Construction have been appointed to deliver the project with construction planning underway, with the full project expected to be complete and open in 2028. Patrick Murray, Scotland's regional director for Farrans, adde: "AMIDS South is a project which will deliver major economic and connectivity benefits for the town of Paisley and wider Renfrewshire, and we are looking forward to getting work started on site. 'Our experienced team has recently completed the highly-successful Govan to Partick Bridge in Glasgow and we have a long history of projects in the transportation sector in Scotland including Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven in joint venture as SFN, M80 Stepps to Haggs and the A737 Dalry Bypass in Ayrshire. "We are working through the final stages of preparation with our client Renfrewshire Council and will be engaging on the ground with local stakeholders shortly." AMIDS South is the next step in the Council's ongoing capital investment programme which has already delivered the award-winning refurbishment of Paisley Town Hall, Paisley Arts Centre's renovation, the creation of the Learning and Cultural Hub on the High Street, and the transformation of Paisley Museum is almost complete as culture is put at the forefront of the area's ambitions. In addition, the council recently made the largest-ever, long-term investments in Renfrewshire's roads and pathways and school learning estate, with a ten-year, £90million investment in roads and up to £170million unlocked over future years for major investment in education establishments.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I was forced to shut down my Perth café after just two weeks for a ridiculous reason - but the bureaucrats just don't give a damn about the people who really matter
The owner of a small café has lashed out at the local council for forcing them to shut down, and slammed them for favouring big corporations over small businesses. Old Soul Coffee Co had only been operating for a fortnight in south Perth 's Yangebup Primary School car park when the City of Cockburn council shut it down last week. The cafe is run by Rosie Miller, 34, and her barista Emma Hopkins, and locals insist the mobile caravan had brought a vital new life to the suburb. As well as coffee, customers also found a new sense of community, the pair said. They said the coffee caravan was the perfect solution to the suburb's café shortage and was helping to beautify an area which suffered from a pervasive drug culture. But the council said the café could not operate without a valid licence and needed the state school's permission to operate in its car park. But even if they got that, the council said the café would still not be able to trade as the location fell within 1km of a similar business. Now Ms Miller has blasted the council for taking a blinkered approach to the regulations. 'To the City of Cockburn, a "like business" is one which has a coffee machine,' she said. 'The IGA, local deli and petrol station 1.2km up the road has these machines [and] one is an instant machine. 'The local IGA has an unused machine and its primary income is not serving coffee!' She warned the suburb was in danger of becoming a wasteland and accused it of allowing businesses to collapse while focusing on the success of two shopping centres. A local farmers' market failed after just six months, she said, and other locals have complained about a lack of council co-operation to support community initiatives. 'There's so much potential for small business to thrive but we are getting held back by council who are more interested in building Starbucks and childcare centres,' the single mother-of-three said She said she had planned to put any proceeds toward building a community garden. Ms Miller said she would continue to fight for the chance to trade outdoors, as the local shops were poorly maintained and expensive. 'The options I'm left with are perhaps fighting the council for a spot on council land 100m down from the carpark, which they still aren't keen on,' she said. 'However, they have given approval for a farmers' market which sold coffee, produce and things so technically this isn't too different.' She believed the project was still worth fighting for. 'The sense of community and the coming together of families out in the park was really lovely,' she said. 'Isolated members of the community were coming down for a coffee and chat, people getting out into the open space.' She said one overworked mother broke down in tears after receiving a compliment about her young children. 'We were also sourcing as much local produce and food as we could and giving a "bring your own cup" 50cent discount. 'We had hoped to start stocking picnic mats for customers to use. We take all our rubbish and waste water home. We were cleaning up the area of litter before trading.' The caravan operator said families and friends have been encouraged by the mobile café to stay at the park longer and allow their children to play outside. Some residents have turned up exhausted from domestic duties and fallen asleep while waiting for coffees, she said. One local wrote the 'gem' was more than just a café at the neighbourhood park. 'It is a community hub where bonds are strengthened, and daily routines are enhanced by the warmth of a friendly barista and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee,' local resident Michael Green said at the launch of an online petition. 'Small businesses like Old Soul Coffee Co play an integral role in fostering community connections and supporting the local economy. 'They offer unique experiences and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of our neighbourhood.' In a social media post, Ms Miller apologised to locals saying the business could no longer trade and remains at loggerheads with the City of Cockburn Council. It faces $150 fines for continuing to trade without necessary permits, but the council has hit back and insisted it welcomes initiatives from the public. 'The City of Cockburn actively welcomes and supports community-led initiatives,' said Dan Arndt, director of sustainable development and safety. 'We welcome further discussion on identifying appropriate locations for mobile food vendors in the area. 'The city acknowledges the interest from members of the community in supporting local mobile food vendors and creating vibrant public spaces.' Mr Arndt added that the 'city must prioritise the safety and amenity of all community members'. 'Increased traffic and parking congestion during school hours pose potential risks to students and families,' he said. '[But] standards prohibit stallholders from trading within 1km of any shop, trader, or permanent place of business that sells similar goods, wares, merchandise, or services.'
