Right track
Having had an interest in the project during much of my time as MP, I was delighted this week that Dumfries and Galloway Council have granted planning permission for a new pedestrian bridge, with disabled lift access, linking both platforms at Dumfries railway station.
As a passenger and someone who picks up family and friends there, I appreciate what an attractive and well-kept station Dumfries has and understand just why there was community apprehension about the scale of the development.
On balance though I’m convinced planning councillors have made the correct call in giving the green light to a project, which will also represent a vote of confidence in Dumfries and the Nith Valley line by the UK Government, which is providing substantial funding through the Access for All (AfA) programme.
Strong bond
The bond of friendship between the Dumfries area and Norway remains as great as ever and I was delighted to see that a memorial recognising our local links with the country is now firmly in place on the Whitesands.
It will be a lasting reminder of when Dumfries played host to the Norwegian Brigade when exiled forces, who fled their homeland when Nazi Germany invaded, made the town their base.
More than 80 years on, the march of time means fewer people directly remember that eventful period but with some Norwegian service personnel and civilians later marrying into local families the links remain strong.
The ‘stone of friendship,’ gifted by Norway with council and other local support, looks perfect in its new setting beside Devorgilla Bridge and will be a lasting reminder for future generations of this important chapter of in our history.
Top priority
I know from constituents that confirmation of dedicated reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in four schools in the region was an understandable worry.
This, of course, is a national issue and I welcome funding support being provided through the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure work is carried out in a timely fashion by local authorities to safeguard young people and school staff.
I’m grateful to Dumfries and Galloway Council colleagues for keeping me abreast of progress and I encourage parents to monitor the regular updates on the local authority website.
On another front, I strongly hope, during this time of difficult global financial and other challenges, that both sides in the current Scottish local authorities’ pay disputes are able to reach a deliverable agreement to avoid strike action, which could disrupt local schools and, sadly, children’s education.