A number of residents have been waiting to hear the plans for improving the back lanes as part of the reinstatement work once the mine workings have been filled in. Unfortunately there have been no sweeping developments since Christmas so the current situation is:
The council and representatives from heritage bodies have seen the lanes and met with the Society. We have handed over all our research, costings and survey information. We are now awaiting costs for several refurbishment options to be carried out once the works are completed. These include:
- Lifting all existing setts and replacing with regular-sized setts
- Lifting all existing setts and relaying
- Laying tarmac over the existing setts
- Lifting existing setts and replacing with tarmac
- Repairing existing damage to the setts by lifting and relaying, locating existing drainage system and cleaning out and removing all vegetation/soil from the lanes.
As soon as we have the costs, we will be writing to all the residents who share ownership of the back lanes affected to ask them which option they prefer and outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Of course, the Council are not obliged to carry out this work and the funds are only available in this tax year.
Work has begun again in earnest after the Christmas break. As before, we urge residents to be considerate when parking and using the back lanes. In particular, as residents are using the back lanes for vehicular access, do bear this in mind when putting out bins and bulk uplift and, for those driving in the back lanes, be aware of pedestrians and pets who are not used to dodging cars on the cobbles!
The next Society meeting is this Monday, 16th January, in the front dining room at The Bungo on Nithsdale Road, 7.30pm. Do come along if you have any questions, concerns or would like to find out more.
We’ve just heard that Glasgow City Council’s Executive committee has approved an increase to the grant level for the works. The effect of this is that all owners will get a 75% grant towards the cost of the ground consolidation works instead of 50%.
And more good news – we’ve finally got costings from the Council for three options for upgrading the back lanes as part of the reinstatement work. The three options come within the notional budget but don’t quite match up with the Society’s expectations. We are meeting with the Council, along with Councillor Rabbani, on Monday morning to discuss the options and the best way forward. We hope to send out letters to residents with the Strathbungo News next week.