In my column for the Barrhead News in August, I expressed concerns about possible delays to the completion timetable for the Aurs Road transformation programme.
It had been established that there were issues with ground conditions at the site and an investigation had been ordered to discover the impact these problems may have on the construction work.
To my disappointment and that of many local residents, our concerns were realised last month when East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the building programme was going to be significantly delayed.
The initial aim was for the work to successfully conclude by December 2024 but the council has now set a revised anticipated target completion timetable of summer 2025.
Consequently, it is expected that a further six to eight months will now be needed to finish the work.
The stated reasons for the delay are the unforeseen difficulties with the ground conditions, a need to relocate unmapped existing utilities and more rain than anticipated during this year’s summer.
The council also said that a former water works was discovered only as preparations to ready Aurs Road for the large-scale construction project started and it had to be removed.
The extended period where this key road that links Newton Mearns with Barrhead will be closed is undoubtedly going to cause further disruption for local people and there is no getting away from the reality that the delay to the completion timetable is a major frustration.
The explanation provided by the council for the additional time required to progress the work to a successful conclusion does appear to make clear that the lengthy delay is unavoidable but this in no way diminishes the disappointment at the postponement to the completion timetable.
All efforts must now be made to limit the delay to Summer 2025 and to take all possible steps to avoid a situation whereby a further extension to the completion timetable is required.
In a more positive development last month, a planning application was submitted for the development of a new leisure centre and theatre at Eastwood Park.
The existing facility is no longer able to meet the demands for it’s use by local residents.
The delivery of improved leisure centre provision at Eastwood Park is a key commitment in the council’s current Local Development Plan (LDP) and granting planning permission for the revised proposal would allow the council to achieve this important objective.
Taking forward the plans for a new build leisure centre at Eastwood Park also safeguards well-utilised local greenspaces such as Broomburn Park and Shawwood Park.
Approval of the new Eastwood Park planning proposal means there would be no need for the council to again consider establishing this essential new leisure centre and theatre at a different site.
As such, an award of planning permission also allows the council to maintain it’s LDP commitment that parks including Broomburn and Shawwood will remain as greenbelt.
I was delighted to submit a formal letter of support for the proposal to the council and I hope that planning permission is granted.