Give way for Dumbarton's town centre

Mar 5 2008 By Marc McLean, Lennox Herald

Council looks set for a High Street U-turn

A BAN on cars could finally be reversed to breathe new life into Dumbarton’s dying town centre.

Councillors have admitted that the High Street traffic system is “not working” and are considering a complete U-turn in a bid to halt the town centre decline.

They agreed to fork out £10,000 on a study which would weigh up the benefits of fully reopening the High Street to vehicles.

SNP Councillor Ronnie McColl, who proposed the move at last week’s full council meeting, said: “It’s not just the business owners that are complaining about the fact that cars cannot get through, it’s a lot of people using the town centre.

“It has also become a big issue for the disabled.

“The town centre has been under a lot of pressure since the introduction of St James’ Retail Park and we now have town centre managers (Jermon Developments) putting a lot of money into the High Street.

“The current traffic system isn’t working and it’s time for a fresh look at the situation. The very fact that there are so many empty shops shows that.”

The move has delighted struggling shopkeepers, who have been campaigning for years against the current traffic management system.

They have consistently argued that the access problems, coupled with the expansion of St James’ Retail Park in Dumbarton East, are to blame for their profits taking a huge hit and other businesses walking out on the town.

John Corcoran, chairman of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m over the moon that common sense has prevailed.

“I couldn’t understand why these decisions were made in the first place and I’m delighted that, at last, we are looking at reinvigorating the town centre.”

He added: “Jermon Developments has given a huge commitment to regenerate Dumbarton as a town and should be given every support. The chamber of commerce is certainly 100 per cent behind them.”

Robert Ryan, owner of Ryan’s Pet Centre and chairman of Business For Dumbarton, said: “On the face of it, it appears the council is following Paisley’s lead by admitting to past errors. If that’s the case then we heartily welcome the news.

“We feel as if we’ve been up against a brick wall for so long, but I always believed this decision would be reversed eventually because bad decisions usually do get reversed.”

The feasibility study will be completed at the expense of lighting up Dumbarton Castle.

Dumbarton Labour councillor Geoff Calvert is pushing for £10,000 to be invested in properly lighting up the town’s greatest landmark, however it was outvoted in favour of the town centre move.

Councillor McColl said: “Although the lighting up of Dumbarton Castle is a worthy project, it’s not a priority.

“We feel that the priority is the High Street.”

Page 9 — Why action must be taken in the town

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NO WAY THROUGH: Only buses and taxis are currently allowed through the High Street during daytime hours.