In his latest column, Councillor Iain Paterson discusses the problems of coastal litter and speeding, but also the great work in our schools.

Coastal litter/waste

It has been a busy spring early summer period, since forming the new administration.

I have had our administration policy lead on climate change and renewables Luna Martin, come to Arrochar to meet with representatives from Arrochar and Tarbet Community Council, Arrochar Development Trust and the Grab Trust, to see first-hand the litter contamination that blights our coast especially at the head of Loch Long.

Grab Trust Beaches and Marine Litter Project Education Officer, Jaqueline Willis has applied to Marine Fund Scotland for funding to tackle the contamination of the area at the head of Loch Long.

In the meantime SSE are considering carrying out a mechanical clean at the head of the loch and it would be amazing if we could get them to commit to this.

Myself and Luna will continue to pursue and lobby the council, our political representatives and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which I am a board member regarding this blight on our coastline.

Speed cameras

I am pleased to see the introduction of average speed cameras on the A82 Loch Lomond road, albeit on a temporary basis to start with.

I have been lobbying for this since 2018. After having so many Road traffic collisions and casualties on that section of road something had to be done.

I took my constituent’s concerns and my own view that average speed cameras would go a long way in tackling the problem, meeting with government minister, National Park convener Heather Reid, CEO Gordon Watson, along with others in October last year.

Followed by email correspondence to transport minister Fiona Hyslop, following these discussions, I also brought it up at various council and community council meetings.

The statistics show fewer people being killed or seriously injured. Where they have been introduced, average speed cameras are about enhancing road safety, these systems have been a proven success.

On similar rural single carriageway roads there has been a 60% reduction in the number of killed or seriously injured casualties since average speed cameras were introduced.

School

I along with my fellow councillors met with head teacher Mr Morgan, members of staff and pupils recently at the Hermitage Academy.

We had excellent presentations from the four chosen pupils, followed by presentation by Mr Morgan showing the school's performance which in many sectors were excellent out performing national averages.

We discussed various measures the school has implemented - our children nurturing silver award, flexible learning plans, and weir-wise programme to name a few.

It was uplifting to hear the positivity from the pupils and Mr Morgan.

It is a credit to him and his staff how well the school is run. I also speak from a parent perspective, who has met many members of his staff at parent evenings, being impressed by their commitment and enthusiasm for the job they do. Well done.