DISTRICT NEWS

Congratulations to our whole community for the fight they have put up to save our filling station from closure. Particular thanks go to John Murdo who organised a very supported petition. I wrote a protest, as also did the Community Council and Nicol Stephen MSP. He has had a letter from BP saying that, in response to the concerns expressed by the local community, there is "every chance" that the petrol station will be able to resume normal operation" , after being closed for a time during this year for remedial work.

I have written to the Roads Department expressing your disappointment that the promised "lining and signing" has not yet been done, in spite of the fact that our area is the one which is first in line. I also complained about the pavement near the Post Office, and have been told that that section is already scheduled for repair. The missing light standard at the bottom of School Road will be given priority for replacement because it is greatly needed for safety reasons.

The Culter School football pitch is to be drained, using money from my ward allocation for 2002/3. Roads engineers are looking at the junction in front of St. Peter's Terrace, to see if we can get a pavement build-out there from the remainder of my ward allocation. This would make the roads safer for pedestrians, slow traffic down and prevent U-turns at this dangerous junction.

For some time now I have not held surgeries, because hardly anybody used to come to them. Everybody knows that they can phone me at any time on 733433, and most prefer this way of getting in touch. There have been a couple of enquiries recently, however, so I am going to try again to see if surgeries are needed. Dates will be advertised, and will also be up in the Village Hall. The first two will be on February 3rd. and 17th at 7.30pm in Culter School (far end).

Pam MacDonald