Wire-mesh-fence-in-park

This is a typical weldmesh fence

If you live along Moray Place, or at the top of any of the streets off it, along its length, you will have received a neighbour notification on the 8th January telling you that Network Rail intends to install a 1.8m high weldmesh fence. They give notice that the work will begin on the 23rd Feb. As part of the work they state that vegetation will be cleared as well. However, no details regarding the exact nature or scope of the work are given.

There has been no consultation with the community and interested parties, which is very disappointing, given the assurances that Network Rail gave way back in 2005 that they would do so, after protests from Strathbungo residents stopped them removing all vegetation from Moray Place to Crossmyloof. Many of you will have been involved in this and remember it.

The Strathbungo Society lodged formal objection to these works on the 9th January and wrote to Network Rail requesting a meeting, making a number of comments, and posing questions. See below for these.

In addition to our formal objections, we have also met with Nicola Sturgeon on the matter and she has brokered a meeting with Network Rail, which will take place tomorrow (16th Jan ) and which representatives of the Society will attend. All of our Councillors and MP have also been written to on the issue. Also, I know that many of you have lodged individual objections to the proposed works by Network Rail.

Network Rail has been invited to attend our Committee meeting on Tuesday 20th January, though they have still to confirm their attendance. Please come along to take part in the discussion on this issue and pose questions that you want answered. Here’s the agenda in pdf format and here are the minutes from the last Society meeting, also in pdf format.

If you cannot attend, but have any comments/questions, please contact: chair@strathbungo.com

Many thanks – and a happy new year to you all!

Teresa

Chair, The Strathbungo Society

(click to view the Comments/Questions posed to Network Rail in a letter from the Strathbungo Society dated 10th January 2015)

  1. Why has there been no consultation on your proposal? Nothing was received until notification of the works by letter received on 8th January 2015. Works noted as to commence on 23rd February 2015.
  2. Where exactly is the fencing to be sited? You will know that the present fences on Moray Place do not constitute the property boundary. Please provide us with a plan showing where you believe the property boundary is, as soon as possible; and certainly in advance of any work being undertaken. It is imperative that property owners on Moray Place receive reassurance that their property rights are not being usurped.
  3. How was the type of fencing proposed decided? Were any of the recommendations for fencing in conservation areas considered? You will be aware that the boundary of the Conservation Area is in the centre of the rail track on the Moray Place side – see Glasgow City Council Strathbungo Conservation Appraisal ( GCC SCA).
  4. The neighbour notification letter states that the works will include ‘clearing vegetation’. What vegetation will be cleared? Some, all? Are there re-planting plans? You will be aware of the fact that March to August is the official RSPB nesting period and it is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to either disturb or destroy nesting habitat. Apart from birds, other wildlife will suffer and there will be a negative impact on residential amenity, if significant amounts or all vegetation is removed. You will also be aware that residents of Strathbungo were very vociferous in their protests in 2005, when Network Rail planned to remove all vegetation from the trackside from Moray Place to Crossmyloof. The rail embankments form important wildlife corridors. We were assured, as a result of our successful action taken at that time, that Network Rail would improve in the consultation process. Clearly that has not happened in this instance!
  5. We think that it is possible to consider other solutions to fencing and would strongly recommend this. Your website notes a number of different types of barrier, including vegetation. Moray Place has a considerable amount of vegetation that forms a barrier to the railway. Could this not be added to, to form the requisite barrier?
  6. Why does the fencing need to be so high? This will be visually intrusive.
  7. Why is it of weldmesh? This is not suitable for a conservation area.
  8. What is the purpose of the fencing? Is it for trespass issues only? What type and scale of trespass has been recorded for the track along Moray Place? The residents of Strathbungo are well aware that the issues of safety and trespass need to be addressed and are willing to work with Network Rail regarding them. The main weaknesses in terms of trespass, are at the gates and steps installed by Network Rail. The installation of fencing all along Moray Place is not going to address these weaknesses. Could measures be taken to minimise these weak points? The installation of CC TV, for example?
  9. We think the best solution is to integrate the issue of fencing/barrier improvements with the improvements to the foot and rail bridges, the timescale of which you noted in your letter of 29th October 2015? As you noted in this letter, you anticipate a decision on funding for maintenance of the bridges by March of this year. We would urge you to delay any work on the fencing until then.