A locally-based campaign group hoping to put a stop to issues
thrown-up by noisy freight trains rumbling along the Stirling to
Kincardine railway line were in the spotlight at Holyrood this week.
On Wednesday, Mid Scotland and Fife list MSP Dr Richard Simpson
asked Transport Minister Keith Brown – the MSP for Clackmannanshire and
Dunblane – if there were any plans in place to mitigate the noise that’s
said to be blighting the lives of families.
Dr Simpson specifically mentioned Causewayhead resident Archie
McIver – chair of the Noise and Vibration Action Group (NVAG) – and said
his family had regularly had to put up with a high level of noise
pollution.
Following the debate, called by Labour to discuss the future of the
Scottish Government’s Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme, Mr
McIver said: “Myself and other members of the group are grateful to Dr
Simpson for taking up this issue on our behalf in the Scottish
Parliament and hope this will go some way towards resolution.
“The impact this has had on our lives has made the past few years
nothing short of unbearable. It will take more than a Parliamentary
debate to resolve this but we are satisfied that the issue is being
addressed and we will continue to campaign until we are finally able to
live our lives peacefully and without unnecessary disruption from
freight noise and vibrations.”
Following a series of meetings, legal firm Thomsons Scotland is in
the process of contacting residents who feel the Scottish Government
should have done more to combat both the noise and health issues that
have come to light since a portion of the line was reopened in 2008.
Patrick McGuire, a partner with Thompsons, added: “The debate was an
important step forward for the families who have been made to suffer
disruption for far too long.
“Transport Scotland has continually failed to meet European
standards on noise and vibration and I welcome recognition of this in
Parliament.”
Thompsons have also indicated that the line, as it is being run, may be in breach of human rights.
Mr McIver’s wife, Chris, sent an open letter to First Minister Alex Salmond on the issue earlier this week.
An extract of the letter – published on campaign website
www.nvag.org.uk – states: “I am writing this to you as a last attempt to
appeal that the promises which were made to Parliament for the
protection of your citizens be upheld in full.
“Is this really 21st century Scotland as you want it under your government? If so, then may God help us.”
Transport Scotland said: “The environmental impact of any transport
project is always an important consideration and concerns raised about
noise levels around the service have been taken seriously – with
Clackmannanshire Council, Transport Scotland and Network Rail working
together to provide acoustic barriers at all properties that met the
mitigation criteria.
“To ensure the matter has been fully resolved, Transport Scotland
and Clackmannanshire Council are to undertake additional noise
monitoring to confirm the effectiveness of the mitigation measures
provided.”
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