What follows is an exchange of correspondence between Connel CC and Transport Scotland. It seems that there will definitely be no Pelican or Toucan Crossing in the village as the cycle route will now use the Kilmore Road instead. 

Hello Mr Davidson

Connel Community Council held its AGM on Tuesday evening and Cllr. Elaine Robertson attended the meeting.
The Cycle Path through the village was discussed but I had to say that I had had no information from you on the subject and that my last communication had gone unanswered.
However, Cllr Robertson said that she had met with you that afternoon (something which you had mentioned to me previously) and that you had said that Transport Scotland had taken on board the concerns of the community in Connel regarding the use of a Pelican Crossing on the A85 and that an alternative route for the Cycle Way was being considered.
Rather than keeping our community in the dark and hearing your ideas through our Councillor can you please communicate with us directly - so that we can have a proper, helpful dialogue, rather than us feeling 'left out' of whatever plans you are making or have made.
Les Stewart
Secretary

Dear Mr Stewart,

Thank you for your email.  I would comment as follows:

•         Transport Scotland has no current proposals for a controlled crossing on the A85 in Connel, the previous proposal having been the subject of objections from your Community Council.
•         Sustrans is responsible for the delivery of the National Cycle Network across Scotland and the rest of the UK, including NCN 78 between Oban and Fort William.  Transport Scotland’s primary focus relates to any impacts that the NCN might have on the Trunk Road network.
•         The route of the NCN 78 is discussed and agreed by the Oban to Fort William Steering Group.  The Steering Group is chaired by Sustrans and includes representatives of Transport Scotland and officials and elected members of both Argyll and Bute Council and The Highland Council.
•         The Steering group met on the afternoon of Tuesday 14 May, during which the Steering Group agreed that the route of NCN 78 between Oban and Connel should be via the Kilmore Road rather than along the coast to Dunbeg and then along the route of the A85 to Connel.  Among other things, this addresses difficulties in acquiring land and removes the need for a controlled trunk road crossing in Connel.
•         Transport Scotland was unable to advise you of this route decision in advance because it was a matter for the Steering Group to consider and agree.
•         I asked Councillor Robertson if she would be good enough to advise your Community Council of this change of route because I knew she was attending your Community Council meeting later that evening, and as a local councillor she is the appropriate representative of local interests on the Steering Group.

I trust this clarifies the position.

Regards,

Andrew Davidson

Harry Powell, aged 87, and still an active Community Councillor in Connel, officially opens the picnic site at the Falls of Lora Car Park. Holding the ribbon on Harry's right is Peter MacArthur from the Forestry Commission who donated the tables and, on his left, is Bev Brown from George Leslie Limited whose men did the installation.

Sandy Dunlop watches in the background, from the comfort of the table.

Fergus Murray, Development Policy Manager, Argyll & Bute Council, spoke at a well attended meeting of the Community Council last night on the Local Development Plan and how it might affect Connel.

His comments are contained in the LIBRARY.

Follow the External Link below.

Additional dates for public consultations.

Monday, 15 April 2013 1pm - 6.30pm Taynuilt Village Hall

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 1pm - 4pm North Connel Hall

Tuesday,  16 April 2013  6pm - 8pm  Ardchattan Primary School 

Connel Clean -Up organised by Connel Hall
The annual village Clean-Up will take place on 22 April.
Meet at the Village Hall at 6 pm.
A small number of pick-up sticks, gloves and bags will be available.
Please help if you can.

Fergus Murray, Development Policy Manager for Argyll & Bute Council has agreed to speak on the Local Development Plan and how it might affect Connel.

This is a follow up to the recent meeting with Sandy MacTaggart, Head of Facilities, which took place on 19 March.

The Meeting will be in theVillage Hall on Tuesday, 16 April at 7.00 pm

Dawnfresh Fish Farm have announced revised proposals for their fish farm on Loch Etive. Public exhibitions will be held in the following locations on 27 March 2013.

1pm-4pm North Connel Hall, Argyll PA37 1RF

6pm-8pm Ardchattan Primary School, Ardchattan PA37 1RH

If you are unable to attend the exhibition, or would like more

information about the proposals, please contact Dawnfresh at
dawnfresh@communityline.org or write to Dawnfresh,
c/o MHP, 3 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7HW

A very well attanded meeting tonight heard Sandy MacTaggart talk about the TIF (Tax Incremental Finance) arrangements for the Lorn Arc and also the new Lorn Development Plan.

There were a number of issues which arose, which would be more appropriately addressed by the Planning Team, and it was suggested that Fergus Murray would come and talk to us about these matters in the very near future.

Please watch this space for notice of another meeting.

The results of the Questionnaire are now on the website.

Go to LIBRARY and then Minutes 2013. The full results are there.

Also, the Police Report for Jan -Mar 2013 is there as well. 

There will be a Meeting of the Community Council in the Village Hall (Small Hall - so please use the side door) on Tuesday 19 March at 7 pm. It will be addressed by Sandy MacTaggart from Argyll & Bute Council who will talk about the Plan and the Lorn Arc.

George Leslie's workers installing the first picnic table at the Viewpoint. A much bigger job than expected due to the fact that there is hardly any depth of soil. Hence the mini-digger! All this has been done free of any charge by Leslie and the tables were supplied free by the Forstry Commission.

The Community Payback Team from Argyll & Bute Council have been working hard on the shore frontage to cut back the gorse and shrubs and to pick up all the litter. They've done a great job - so, thanks guys. Next week they will be tackling the large stand of Japanese Knotweed. It will take several years to eradicate, but, at least, it's a start.

Connel Bridge will be closed from 10 March to 15 March - 10 pm till 6 am.

The following information is from Scotland Transerv.

We are writing to you today to inform you of forthcoming essential works at the A828 Connel Bridge to move the High Voltage cable from the cross beams above the carriageway on Connel Bridge to a newly installed duct running below the carriageway of the bridge.

Due to the restricted width available on the structure we require overnight closures of Connel Bridge which have been booked for five nights commencing Sunday 10th March until Friday 15th March 2013. The road will be closed to all traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, between 22.00 and 06.00 hours to ensure the safety of the public and to allow the contractor unrestricted access to complete the works as quickly as possible.

A signed diversion route will be in place. The contractor has agreed that during the overnight works, access over the bridge will be allowed for a maximum period of ten minutes commencing on the hour every hour. Access for fire, police, ambulance and coast guard vehicles on emergency duties will be provided at all times. Contact details of those on site will be issued by a separate email.
If you have any questions or require and additional information, please contact Gemma Montrose in the first instance on the contact details at the bottom of this email.

The relocation of the cable duct and High Voltage cable will remove the risk of future bridge strikes dislodging the cable and subsequently causing damage. It will also allow for safer access of the cable for inspection and maintenance requirements. The works will involve excavation of the footpath and verge areas both north and south of the bridge as well as works on overhead areas, the contractor will therefore be operating access and construction plant and lifting equipment from the bridge deck as well as the verge and footpath areas.