Over 70 residents of Torthorwald and Collin packed in to Torthorwald Village Hall to give their views on road safety in the villages. On 14 August ward councillors, the community council and individuals from the villages came together to highlight the issues they have and try to find some agreement on how to tackle them.
The meeting was the first of its kind in the region. Ward events allow local residents to engage with councillors in their ward about issues that affect them. The topics are proposed by the people who live there. Ward events will address issues win a ward where the community engagement is needed to inform and influence changes in a project and community volunteers can work with our council to improve their local area.
The event “Road Safety in Torthorwald and Collin” was held in response to a request by Torthorwald and Collin Community Council who highlighted that road safety is a great concern to local residents. Issues discussed on the night included:
• Speeding in Torthorwald and Collin
• Dangerous junctions in Torthorwald
• Road Safety Concerns for school pupils and other members of the public at the bus stops in Torthorwald
• Parking issues in parts of Torthorwald
The evening was organised jointly by Dumfries and Galloway Council and Torthorwald Community Council. Cllr John Charteris hosted the meeting that was attended by all four elected Members for Lochar Ward. Elected members and officers were taken on a walking tour of the village before the meeting by residents from the village to see the areas of concern and hear about the issues they had.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Charteris who hosted the meeting, said “I am pleased that the first ward event has gone so well. It was a real opportunity to see, hear and learn about the road safety issues that the residents of the villages of Torthorwald and Collin are experiencing. To see so many people come along to speak to us about their concerns really highlights just how important finding some solutions needs to be.”
Chair of the Communities committee, Andy Ferguson, said “Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to involving individuals and communities in shaping services across the region. Ward events help us to understand specific issues in communities across our region.”
Vice Chair of Communities committee, John Martin, said “We would be happy to hear from any individual or group who wants to submit a proposal for a ward event on an issue they feel is important to them and their community. Ward events give us an opportunity to listen to and work with local people on issues that they are dealing with in their communities.”
