Strutherhill Tenant’ leader angry at site location

Feb 4 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A TENANTS’ leader warned this week that the proposed location of a new retail development in Strutherhill, Larkhall, will put children’s lives in danger.

Bob Murray hit out after plans to build a new convenience store and two retail units in Craigbank Road – one a fast food takeaway – were given the go-ahead last Wednesday.

Mr Murray, chairman of Strutherhill Tenants and Residents Association, believes the spot will be “an accident waiting to happen” once the shops are built.

He says boy racers use the road as a race track and the shops are being built near a new children’s play park.

Although Strutherhill Tenants Association and five individuals objected to the proposals, the project was given approval by the Hamilton Area committee last week.

Protestors claimed the plans would cause traffic congestion and wanted the shops built in Patchy Park.

But the council’s roads department had no objection to the proposals and said the planned site was more suitable and safer than in Patchy Park, where there have been shops for over 60 years.

Mr Murray continued: “The council are not listening to the people in Strutherhill. Last September, 140 letters from tenants objecting to the closure of the shop in Patchy Park were sent to council leader Eddie McAvoy, and no-one had a reply.

“The empty shops in Patchy Park have been left empty during one of the worst winters ever.

“What was wrong with building the new shops in Patchy Park?”

And Mr Murray fumed: “Are those who approved the application to build the shops in Craigbank Road going to take responsibility when an accident occurs there?

“Boy racers use the road as a race track and we have warned the council about this problem.

“The location is not suitable as there is a new children’s play area and electricity sub-station nearby.

“The roads department probably never came out to Craigbank Road to see if the site is suitable.

“I can tell them that vehicles from all over Strutherhill will park outside the shop and it is going to be dangerous and will cause chaos.

“It is an accident waiting to happen.

“At the shops in Patchy Park there was an exit and entrance for vehicles.”

Last Wednesday councillors approved the application on the recommendation of planning chief Colin McDowall.

Mr McDowall said the proposals raised no signing, amenity or road safety issues.