Comments for For Argyll http://forargyll.com Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:44:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on ARSN submission to Rural Education Commission by Crazy She-Bathttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/arsn-submission-to-rural-education-commission/#comment-895097 Crazy She-Bat Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:44:13 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49048#comment-895097 Simon, can I take it from your silence you have no comment on this at all? Don't tell me we are agreeing on stuff again! Simon, can I take it from your silence you have no comment on this at all? Don’t tell me we are agreeing on stuff again!

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]]> Comment on A83 to stay closed for now by Tarbert Saxonhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/a83-to-stay-closed-for-now/#comment-895095 Tarbert Saxon Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:42:35 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49310#comment-895095 I see that ForArgyll is saying that the rest will be closed until tomorrow but the Transport Scotland site just says it will be closed "Foreseeable future. Further information will be posted as it becomes available", which bears out my point in a previous post! Where do you get your information from? Regardless of any plans to resolve the problems at the Rest just being able to access up to date information from the official source would make my life easier! The same thing applied during the recent power outages. The information provided by the power companies was woeful and what information they did provide was inaccurate or out of date. I would have been happy to have been told that the power would probably be off for 5 days - at least we could have planned ahead rather than simply sitting around waiting! I see that ForArgyll is saying that the rest will be closed until tomorrow but the Transport Scotland site just says it will be closed “Foreseeable future. Further information will be posted as it becomes available”, which bears out my point in a previous post! Where do you get your information from? Regardless of any plans to resolve the problems at the Rest just being able to access up to date information from the official source would make my life easier!

The same thing applied during the recent power outages. The information provided by the power companies was woeful and what information they did provide was inaccurate or out of date. I would have been happy to have been told that the power would probably be off for 5 days – at least we could have planned ahead rather than simply sitting around waiting!

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]]> Comment on 81%-full Hillhead school closed on an educational benefit statement copied from Arbroath? Who needs a law? by Crazy She-Bathttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/81-full-hillhead-school-closed-on-an-educational-benefit-statement-copied-from-arbroath-who-needs-a-law/#comment-895092 Crazy She-Bat Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:40:55 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49143#comment-895092 For Neil: This is something that is of great concern to ARSN as we have submitted to the Commission for Rural Education. From our response to Q12(b): "We are deeply concerned that a number of Councils are pushing for the call in process to focus purely on compliance with due process rather than compliance with the need to properly evidence claims set out in proposal papers. Simply drafting an EBS, community impact assessment or consideration of travel arrangements must never be sufficient to avoid call in as simply ‘ticking boxes’ is inadequate. We would strongly urge the Commission to reject any dilution of the powers granted to Ministers to assess the quality of closure proposals. We would rather that control over the delivery of education be entirely removed from Council’s than place accountability for school closure decisions entirely in the hands of local government." I believe the full doc is available on the article on FA For Neil:

This is something that is of great concern to ARSN as we have submitted to the Commission for Rural Education.

From our response to Q12(b):

“We are deeply concerned that a number of Councils are pushing for the call in process to focus purely on compliance with due process rather than compliance with the need to properly evidence claims set out in proposal papers. Simply drafting an EBS, community impact assessment or consideration of travel arrangements must never be sufficient to avoid call in as simply ‘ticking boxes’ is inadequate. We would strongly urge the Commission to reject any dilution of the powers granted to Ministers to assess the quality of closure proposals. We would rather that control over the delivery of education be entirely removed from Council’s than place accountability for school closure decisions entirely in the hands of local government.”

I believe the full doc is available on the article on FA

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]]> Comment on Business interest in Kintyre on government Ferries Review new route proposal by ferrymanhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/business-interest-in-kintyre-on-government-ferries-review-new-route-proposal/#comment-895088 ferryman Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:39:55 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49124#comment-895088 So newsroom you will be asking for RET for Cowal as well? So newsroom you will be asking for RET for Cowal as well?

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]]> Comment on RIP Helensburgh town centre: Waitrose out of town location approved by PBPhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/rip-helensburgh-town-centre-waitrose-out-of-town-location-approved/#comment-895049 PBP Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:57:42 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49145#comment-895049 No. No.

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]]> Comment on A83 to stay closed for now by Robert Wakehamhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/a83-to-stay-closed-for-now/#comment-895023 Robert Wakeham Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:40:00 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49310#comment-895023 'They can detect movement but of course they cannot stop it' This is exactly why this route has to be upgraded to cope with movement, and until this is done the government is likely to be seen as increasingly useless. ‘They can detect movement but of course they cannot stop it’
This is exactly why this route has to be upgraded to cope with movement, and until this is done the government is likely to be seen as increasingly useless.

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]]> Comment on A83 to stay closed for now by Argyll News: Today’s travel updates | For Argyllhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/a83-to-stay-closed-for-now/#comment-895018 Argyll News: Today’s travel updates | For Argyll Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:38:34 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49310#comment-895018 [...] mild. Strengthening SW winds. Max tempe 12 C.ROADSA83 CLOSED  – at Rest and Be Thankful:. (Our situation update is here). Review at 10.00am 23rd February.Northbound traffic is being diverted via A82 to Tyndrum onto A85 [...] [...] mild. Strengthening SW winds. Max tempe 12 C.ROADSA83 CLOSED  – at Rest and Be Thankful:. (Our situation update is here). Review at 10.00am 23rd February.Northbound traffic is being diverted via A82 to Tyndrum onto A85 [...]

Edit

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]]> Comment on 81%-full Hillhead school closed on an educational benefit statement copied from Arbroath? Who needs a law? by Simonhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/81-full-hillhead-school-closed-on-an-educational-benefit-statement-copied-from-arbroath-who-needs-a-law/#comment-895016 Simon Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:35:11 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49143#comment-895016 Robslee no more, Hillhead no more.... No school should be closed using legislation that Mike Russell himself described as inadequate. Disgraceful. Robslee no more, Hillhead no more….

No school should be closed using legislation that Mike Russell himself described as inadequate.

Disgraceful.

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]]> Comment on Freeman nails the fiction on council administration roads funding by Simonhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/freeman-nails-the-fiction-on-council-administration-roads-funding/#comment-895013 Simon Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:32:15 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49267#comment-895013 Mairi, I agree with you. the juxtapositioning of the two comment is quite deliberately misleading. Just likes FA deliberately ignnoring the SNP group revolt on the Council's budget. Deserted their leader they did and voted with with their 'hate-figure and scapegoat' Dick Walsh. Nary a mention on these pages mind.... :) How come that was never reported Newsie??? Mairi, I agree with you. the juxtapositioning of the two comment is quite deliberately misleading. Just likes FA deliberately ignnoring the SNP group revolt on the Council’s budget. Deserted their leader they did and voted with with their ‘hate-figure and scapegoat’ Dick Walsh.

Nary a mention on these pages mind…. :)

How come that was never reported Newsie???

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]]> Comment on 81%-full Hillhead school closed on an educational benefit statement copied from Arbroath? Who needs a law? by TopsyTurvyhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/81-full-hillhead-school-closed-on-an-educational-benefit-statement-copied-from-arbroath-who-needs-a-law/#comment-895011 TopsyTurvy Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:30:52 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49143#comment-895011 This school is very well performing, its well run and is 81% full. Look out everyone - no school is safe if a school such as Hillhead can be closed. Mike Russells silence on this is deafening. Answers please Mr Russell and your advisors. This school is very well performing, its well run and is 81% full. Look out everyone – no school is safe if a school such as Hillhead can be closed. Mike Russells silence on this is deafening. Answers please Mr Russell and your advisors.

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]]> Comment on 81%-full Hillhead school closed on an educational benefit statement copied from Arbroath? Who needs a law? by Simonhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/81-full-hillhead-school-closed-on-an-educational-benefit-statement-copied-from-arbroath-who-needs-a-law/#comment-895010 Simon Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:23:24 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49143#comment-895010 Neil "Why is there no response by the SNP??" Well I'm hearing the local SNP group is in disarray. The SNP Group Leader Robert McIntyre was left looking like the fool when his group (apart from Isobel Strong) deserted him and voted with Dick Walsh's coalition. Bereft of their own ideas they wheedle, whine and complain about Dick but meekly accept his budget. Neil “Why is there no response by the SNP??”

Well I’m hearing the local SNP group is in disarray. The SNP Group Leader Robert McIntyre was left looking like the fool when his group (apart from Isobel Strong) deserted him and voted with Dick Walsh’s coalition. Bereft of their own ideas they wheedle, whine and complain about Dick but meekly accept his budget.

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]]> Comment on Opposition evaluations of three year council budget by Simonhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/opposition-evaluations-of-three-year-council-budget/#comment-895003 Simon Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:16:37 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49005#comment-895003 What a hoot. With a typical FA Nelsonian eye Newsie makes NO comment on the real stories of the budget. Is it not true that that the much-maligned budget was passed almost unanimously? Did only three voted against it - Geo Freeman, Strong and whatever the name erstwhile leader of the SNP is called? Did the SNP Group overwhelmingly reject their erstwhile leader's advice and voted with Dick Walsh and the Coalition? Is Anne Baird (above) part of the rumoured split in the SNP Group and lack of confidence in their lkeader just a few months ahead of the elections? Why no commment on all this from FA? What a hoot. With a typical FA Nelsonian eye Newsie makes NO comment on the real stories of the budget.
Is it not true that that the much-maligned budget was passed almost unanimously?
Did only three voted against it – Geo Freeman, Strong and whatever the name erstwhile leader of the SNP is called?
Did the SNP Group overwhelmingly reject their erstwhile leader’s advice and voted with Dick Walsh and the Coalition?
Is Anne Baird (above) part of the rumoured split in the SNP Group and lack of confidence in their lkeader just a few months ahead of the elections?
Why no commment on all this from FA?

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]]> Comment on Freeman nails the fiction on council administration roads funding by PBPhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/freeman-nails-the-fiction-on-council-administration-roads-funding/#comment-894987 PBP Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:52:09 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49267#comment-894987 I am alarmed - this is the second day running that I have agreed with Newsroom! Improve the roads which are now seriously dangerous - in town to pedestrians as well as vehicles - and call a halt now to the desecration of Helensburgh's splendid Colquhoun Square. I am alarmed – this is the second day running that I have agreed with Newsroom!

Improve the roads which are now seriously dangerous – in town to pedestrians as well as vehicles – and call a halt now to the desecration of Helensburgh’s splendid Colquhoun Square.

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]]> Comment on Freeman nails the fiction on council administration roads funding by Robert Wakehamhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/freeman-nails-the-fiction-on-council-administration-roads-funding/#comment-894984 Robert Wakeham Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:50:39 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49267#comment-894984 I think the construction contracts for the extra Forth crossing have been signed and work has commenced, so it would be surprising if this financial commitment didn't syphon money away from a great deal of other road improvements. I think the construction contracts for the extra Forth crossing have been signed and work has commenced, so it would be surprising if this financial commitment didn’t syphon money away from a great deal of other road improvements.

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]]> Comment on 81%-full Hillhead school closed on an educational benefit statement copied from Arbroath? Who needs a law? by neil macintyrehttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/81-full-hillhead-school-closed-on-an-educational-benefit-statement-copied-from-arbroath-who-needs-a-law/#comment-894976 neil macintyre Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:42:11 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49143#comment-894976 Why is there no response by the SNP on this very important decision.Surely there supporters on FA are as amazed as the rest of us by what Russell has done.Silence is certainly not golden on this.Give us your side of the story please. Power to the People. Why is there no response by the SNP on this very important decision.Surely there supporters on FA are as amazed as the rest of us by what Russell has done.Silence is certainly not golden on this.Give us your side of the story please.
Power to the People.

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]]> Comment on Freeman nails the fiction on council administration roads funding by David Callanderhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/freeman-nails-the-fiction-on-council-administration-roads-funding/#comment-894948 David Callander Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:06:22 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49267#comment-894948 Perhaps the answer to the 'roads issue' lies directly with the Scottish Executive - should they not take a greater role in financing what is arguably the backbone of our transport system? Although, having said that, it would be preferable if we had an integrated transport system that actually worked for the travelling public; real sustainable choices ranging from cycling to buses to trains/ferries etc rather than the increasingly expensive model we have just now. Perhaps the money allocated to the new Forth crossing ( approx £2 billion, give or take) could be used to give all of Scotland's roads a much needed upgrade? The alternative, I fear, is a continuation of the degradation of our roads and ultimately, our economic future. Perhaps the answer to the ‘roads issue’ lies directly with the Scottish Executive – should they not take a greater role in financing what is arguably the backbone of our transport system?
Although, having said that, it would be preferable if we had an integrated transport system that actually worked for the travelling public; real sustainable choices ranging from cycling to buses to trains/ferries etc rather than the increasingly expensive model we have just now.
Perhaps the money allocated to the new Forth crossing ( approx £2 billion, give or take) could be used to give all of Scotland’s roads a much needed upgrade?
The alternative, I fear, is a continuation of the degradation of our roads and ultimately, our economic future.

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]]> Comment on Argyll NFUS supports Sign for the A83 campaign by Robert Wakehamhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/argyll-nfus-supports-sign-for-the-a83-campaign/#comment-894940 Robert Wakeham Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:57:58 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49287#comment-894940 NFUS might yet have a key role to play - a couple of float loads of lively tups let loose at Holyrood at going-home-time might speak louder than words if the historic trunk roads culture of under-funding and neglect continues. NFUS might yet have a key role to play – a couple of float loads of lively tups let loose at Holyrood at going-home-time might speak louder than words if the historic trunk roads culture of under-funding and neglect continues.

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]]> Comment on A83 closed with another landslide at Rest and Be Thankful by Tarbert Saxonhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/a83-closed-with-another-landslide-at-rest-and-be-thankful/#comment-894883 Tarbert Saxon Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:48:53 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49238#comment-894883 Thanks for keeping us updated. The information regarding the Rest seems to get posted here sooner than on the BBC or Traffic Scotland. The worst thing you c an do is ask the police - they are worse than useless! I am travelling back from London tonight so I will keep checking on ForArgyll (well at least until the 3G signal runs out at Dumbarton) Thanks for keeping us updated. The information regarding the Rest seems to get posted here sooner than on the BBC or Traffic Scotland. The worst thing you c an do is ask the police – they are worse than useless! I am travelling back from London tonight so I will keep checking on ForArgyll (well at least until the 3G signal runs out at Dumbarton)

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]]> Comment on Freeman nails the fiction on council administration roads funding by newsroomhttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/freeman-nails-the-fiction-on-council-administration-roads-funding/#comment-894855 newsroom Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:22:26 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49267#comment-894855 This is incorrect, Mairi. No connection is being made between these two items in the article. The only mention of the landslides issue is in the introductory sentence remarking that with the latest closure of the A83 and the council press release, roads are the issue of the moment. This is incorrect, Mairi. No connection is being made between these two items in the article.

The only mention of the landslides issue is in the introductory sentence remarking that with the latest closure of the A83 and the council press release, roads are the issue of the moment.

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]]> Comment on ARSN submission to Rural Education Commission by Crazy She-Bathttp://forargyll.com/2012/02/arsn-submission-to-rural-education-commission/#comment-894850 Crazy She-Bat Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:16:06 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=49048#comment-894850 Simon?????????????? :( Simon?????????????? :(

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