Latest news with #IanBlake
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Gretna play park transformed to be inclusive to children of all ages and abilities
The Central Avenue Play Park has been officially opened after a tremendous community fundraising campaign. A new inclusive play park in Gretna has been officially opened. The Central Avenue Play Park has been transformed to offer facilities for children and young people of all ages. The project has been delivered by a sub-group of Gretna and Rigg Community Council, led by local councillor Archie Dryburgh. Dumfries and Galloway contributed £104,000 towards the cost of the park, with £80,000 coming from the local authority's coastal benefit fund. Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund provided a further £20,000 with a series of events – ranging from coffee mornings and bingo nights – raising a total of £210,000 for the new park. Chairman of the council's economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ian Blake, said: 'This project is a great example of our council and community partners working together to achieve a project that brings huge benefits to the local area and most importantly to our children and young people. "The hard work and determination of the Gretna and Rigg Community Council sub group is to be commended.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sub group committee chair and local councillor, Archie Dryburgh, added: 'It is brilliant to see the new inclusive play park being used, particularly by children who require accessible equipment. 'It has been a short journey for the team behind this project, and this is absolutely down to their dedication to ensuring they deliver a new play park for the children of Gretna as quickly as they could. "It has been great working with all of the volunteers involved and of course with our council's staff who have been with us every step of the way.'
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Council to reopen Kirkcudbright bridge after safety closure
A bridge that was shut at short notice - splitting a south of Scotland town in two - is to reopen to Kirkcudbright Bridge over the River Dee was closed on March 21, just hours after a safety and Galloway Council said a single-lane reopening for cars and small vans would take place on or before 2 the meantime it will remain shut to all vehicles but can be used by pedestrians and cyclists. Concerns have been raised about the impact of the closure with residents in one area cut off from the town face a detour of about five miles (8km) to make the journey by car - via the Thomas Telford-built Tongland Bridge - or have to cross the Kirkcudbright Bridge on and Galloway Council said the decision to reopen the bridge followed "rigorous technical assessment and analysis by the council's engineering team and its engineering consultant, Mott MacDonald".A three-tonne weight limit and width restrictions will be in force when the bridge reopens.A new 20mph speed limit will also reduce the impact on the bridge. Ian Blake, who chairs the council's economy and infrastructure committee, said he was pleased they would soon be able to reopen the crossing."I would like to thank the public, residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while this important analysis and assessment work has been carried out," he said."The reopening of Kirkcudbright Bridge will mark an important step in balancing public safety, heritage infrastructure and community connectivity."He said they remained committed to ensuring it met the needs of everyone "living, working and visiting the area".The council said it was working on options for a new bridge as a long-term solution.
