Latest news with #JenPreston
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
One in four Stirling shops fail underage vape and tobacco selling test
They visited 17 shops in the Stirling area and four sold vapes and tobacco to people aged 16. Three vape sales were made while one shop sold cigarettes to a 16-year-old, and nine fixed penalty notices for £200 were issued for both underage sales and failures to operate an age verification policy. All 17 premises had previously received visits by Trading Standards to advise them of their legal obligations and offer advice on how each could comply. But the shops were caught out by the volunteers for committing the offence to sell tobacco, tobacco products or nicotine vapour products (NVPs) to anyone under the age of 18. Read More Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: 'It is shocking that almost a quarter of the retailers visited by our Trading Standards team were content to sell these harmful products to underage volunteers. It is even more alarming when they had been warned about such dangerous activity before. 'This activity is not only illegal, but it can also put children at serious risk. Retailers should be warned, and parents and carers take assurance, that we will continue to listen to community concerns and work alongside partners to tackle this serious issue. 'We regularly carry out these operations to ensure premises abide by the legislation, and to safeguard the wellbeing of our young people and communities. 'The message to businesses is clear: challenge anyone who looks under 25, always ask for ID and keep a record of refused sales.'
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Daily Record
Four Stirling shops fined after being caught selling vapes and tobacco products to underage teens
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils' Trading Standards found almost a quarter of the shops trhey visited had sold vape or tobacco products to underage teens. Four shops in Stirling have been found to be selling vapes and tobacco products to underage teens. It comes as part of an initiative by Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils' Trading Standards, who sent in volunteers to try and purchase the items around the region's retailers back in March. The 'test operation' was conducted over the weekend of Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 17. They visited 17 shops in the Stirling area, which resulted in three vape sales and a sale of cigarettes to the 16-year-old volunteers. All 17 premises had previously received visits by Trading Standards to advise them of their legal obligations and offer advice on how they could comply. Nine fixed penalty notices, each for £200, were issued in relation to the underage sales, as well as a failure to operate an age verification policy. It's an offence to sell tobacco, tobacco products or nicotine vapour products (NVPs) to anyone under the age of 18. It's also against the law for adults to buy them on behalf of under-18s. In addition, it's a criminal offence for a tobacco retailer not to have an age verification policy which outlines the steps staff must take to make sure that a customer is aged 18 or over. Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: 'It's shocking that almost a quarter of the retailers visited by our Trading Standards team were content to sell these harmful products to underage volunteers. 'It's even more alarming when they had been warned about such dangerous activity before. 'This activity is not only illegal, but it can also put children at serious risk. 'Retailers should be warned, and parents and carers take assurance, that we will continue to listen to community concerns and work alongside partners to tackle this serious issue. 'We regularly carry out these operations to ensure premises abide by the legislation, and to safeguard the wellbeing of our young people and communities. 'The message to businesses is clear: challenge anyone who looks under 25, always ask for ID and keep a record of refused sales.' Further test purchasing operations will be carried out over the coming months by the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils' Trading Standards team to ensure that retailers comply with the law. Anyone with concerns about illegal sales, particularly to children, are urged to report the matter to Advice Direct Scotland (ADS) on 0808 164 6000 or at
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'Major milestone' reached in new £16m flood defence scheme
In total, £12m of funding for the scheme will be provided by the Scottish Government as part of the national programme, 'Funding of Flood Scheme Protections', with the remainder from Stirling Council. Engagement and consultation has taken place on the proposals with the local community and other key stakeholders at drop-in sessions and via an online survey. The new defence scheme is designed to protect against a flood which, statistically, occurs once every 50 years. Work is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026 and will last an estimated 18 months. READ MORE: Councillors agree new name for relocated high school Glasgow could 'lose' yet another important architectural building Plans for new business park at Scottish airport take step forward The current defences, constructed in the 1980s, are now reaching the end of their service life. As a result, some elements are in poor condition and no longer provide sufficient flood protection in the face of more frequent and intense flood events driven by climate change. Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: 'Delivering a new flood protection scheme for Bridge of Allan is a major priority as the existing infrastructure is not fit for purpose, especially with a changing climate and an increase in extreme weather events. 'Monday's decision is a major milestone as it means we can start the process of appointing a specialist contractor to design and build the scheme and also ensures we keep to key project deadlines. 'The significant investment in the new defences will greatly reduce the flooding risks from the Allan Water to residents, businesses and other facilities on both banks of the river. 'Detailed planning work has gone into the new scheme and we have followed the alignment of the existing infrastructure as much as possible to minimise disruption to local communities. 'We have listened to the views of the local community as the proposals have been developed and further engagement with residents and businesses will take place before construction starts.'
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New £11million walking and cycling route project around Stirling launched
An £11million project designed to transform how people move around Stirling and encourage more people to walk and cycle was officially unveiled yesterday. The 'Walk, Cycle, Live' scheme has created a pair of new cycling, walking and wheeling corridors of more than 6.5 km to help connect communities and educational institutes across the city. The first of the two routes links Stirling train station and the city's university, taking in iconic landmarks such as Old Stirling Bridge and the Wallace Monument along the way. On the second route, the gaps between Forth Valley College and the city centre have been bridged to increase access across Stirling. The project was opened at an event at Wallace High School yesterday, with staff and pupils from the school joined by representatives from Stirling Council, the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: 'I'm very pleased to officially open the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. 'Funded by almost £11 million from the Scottish Government, these two new major active travel corridors will make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys. 'This means more people saving money, living healthier lives and leaving their car at home to reduce their emissions. 'To support the ambitions of Scotland's local authorities for more high quality active travel infrastructure, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. 'This will help ensure more people and communities across Scotland can benefit from easier sustainable travel options.' The project is described as a 'cornerstone' of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal - with funding coming from the Scottish Government through Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme, the City Region Deal and by Stirling Council from developer contributions. Stirling Council Depute Leader, Cllr Jen Preston, added: 'I'm thrilled we are marking the completion of this landmark project that will transform how people and places in Stirling are connected. 'Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling sets a new standard for active travel infrastructure in a Scottish city. 'For the first time ever, there are seamless routes for cycling and walking in the heart of Stirling, linking communities and public transport hubs to businesses, schools, the university and college, as well as the wider region. 'The new infrastructure has already been used by people of all ages in our communities, including by pupils and staff at Wallace High, and it's going to be a key part of how we support the growing shift to active travel as well as increasing footfall and economic activity for our businesses. ' The scheme has not been without its critics during construction, with locals having had to contend with varying degrees of disruption during the works. Cllr Preston added: 'I want to thank all our residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during the works, and we are committed to engaging with them to unlock the full benefits of this major investment.' Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone, at Sustrans said: 'Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling is transformational for the city. 'Making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier means everyone moving around Stirling has more choice for everyday journeys. 'Feeling confident enough to choose to walk, wheel or cycle benefits our health, our wallets, and our local environment. We're delighted that Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling has now made these choices a reality for more people in the city.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New active travel project 'transformational' for Scottish city
Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling has created two new cycling, walking and wheeling corridors of more than 6.5 km that connect communities, businesses and higher education institutes across the city. The £11 million project is a cornerstone of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, a £214 million partnership between both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, the University of Stirling and the UK and Scottish Governments. It has been funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme (£8.4 million) and via the City Region Deal (£2.5 million), and by Stirling Council from developer contributions (£325,000). Route one links Stirling Train Station and the University of Stirling, taking in landmarks like Old Stirling Bridge and the National Wallace Monument along the way. Route two has bridged the gaps between Forth Valley College and Stirling's historic city centre under the shadow of Stirling Castle. READ MORE: Opening date revealed for new road bridge spanning River Clyde 'Landmark' cycle routes deliver record share of journeys by bike in Scotland Latest Avenues work in Glasgow begins in 'key entrance point' The new infrastructure will also lay the foundations for future connections to Clackmannanshire and the wider Forth Valley region, and support the objectives of Stirling Council's Climate and Nature Emergency Plan. The project was officially opened on Thursday at a section of the route next to Wallace High School, with staff and pupils, funding partners and other key local stakeholders in attendance. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: 'I'm very pleased to officially open the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. Funded by almost £11 million from the Scottish Government, these two new major active travel corridors will make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys. 'This means more people saving money, living healthier lives and leaving their car at home to reduce their emissions. 'To support the ambitions of Scotland's local authorities for more high quality active travel infrastructure, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. This will help ensure more people and communities across Scotland can benefit from easier sustainable travel options.' Stirling (Image: Stirling Council) 'To help communities prosper, the Scottish Government is investing £45 million through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal. 'The Deal aims to create 5,000 jobs in Clackmannanshire and Stirling by boosting transport, tourism, training, business growth and projects to tackle climate change.' Stirling Council Depute Leader, Cllr Jen Preston said: 'I'm thrilled we are marking the completion of this landmark project that will transform how people and places in Stirling are connected. 'Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling sets a new standard for active travel infrastructure in a Scottish city. For the first time ever, there are seamless routes for cycling and walking in the heart of Stirling, linking communities and public transport hubs to businesses, schools, the university and college, as well as the wider region. 'The new infrastructure has already been used by people of all ages in our communities, including by pupils and staff at Wallace High, and it's going to be a key part of how we support the growing shift to active travel as well as increasing footfall and economic activity for our businesses. 'I want to thank all our residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during the works, and we are committed to engaging with them to unlock the full benefits of this major investment.' Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone at Sustrans said: 'Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling is transformational for the city. 'Making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier means everyone moving around Stirling has more choice for everyday journeys. 'Feeling confident enough to choose to walk, wheel or cycle benefits our health, our wallets, and our local environment. We're delighted that Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling has now made these choices a reality for more people in the city.'
