Latest news with #ColinSmyth
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Stagecoach: Almost all bus services to be axed in Dumfries and Galloway in 'hammer blow'
All but two of Stagecoach's bus services in Dumfries and Galloway appear set to be axed. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Almost all of Stagecoach's bus services will be axed across Dumfries and Galloway, as the firm was accused of leaving communities stranded. All but two of the bus operator's services in the region will be dropped, Stagecoach has told Dumfries and Galloway Council. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Stagecoach bus. | National World The firm has said the decision has been made because the routes are "no longer commercially viable". Up to 130 jobs are expected to be at risk. These roles include more than 100 drivers, as well as engineers, cleaners, admin staff, and depot managers. The firm is expected to close both its Dumfries and Stranraer depots under the decision. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The terms of the new contracts Stagecoach's existing contracts with the local council and transport partnership SWestrans are due to expire on August 6. The company said it had found a liability clause as part of the tender process to continue the services that was "far in excess of the value of the contracts". The X74 route to Glasgow is expected to be one of the only services retained by Stagecoach. Stagecoach's position Stagecoach said in a statement: "We're unfortunately unable to agree to a contract on these disproportionate terms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We've been working with the council and SWestrans to find a solution to the procurement ask, but unfortunately the liability levels required by the council have made this impossible. "As a result, our tender submissions have been disqualified as non-compliant." All school transport and council-subsidised routes across the region are provided by Stagecoach under the existing contract. Dumfries and Galloway Council told the BBC that negotiations over the tender process were "ongoing and confidential". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire have been named as some of the hotspots for more wind farm developments | Katharine Hay It has not been confirmed whether another bus operator outside of Stagecoach could take on the routes from August. 'Utterly decimate' services South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth last month warned the the withdrawal of Stagecoach from Dumfries and Galloway would 'utterly decimate' local bus services. 'If Stagecoach go ahead with their threat to withdraw from the region, this would be devastating news for the workforce,' he said at the time. 'My thoughts are with every employee now facing uncertainty about their future. 'Stagecoach's possible exit would be a hammer blow to public transport in our region and utterly decimate local bus services. Having squeezed out competition over the years, Stagecoach know full well this would leave many communities cut off and pupils unable to get to school after the summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To abandon local jobs and lifeline services while clinging onto the profitable routes from afar would be the height of corporate irresponsibility. I urge Stagecoach to think again.' Mr Smyth said he had raised the issue as an urgent matter with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop. A Stagecoach West Scotland spokesperson said last month: 'The majority of the bus services Stagecoach operates in Dumfries and Galloway are under a contract arrangement with SWestrans, which are due to expire in August 2025. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council have managed a tender process on behalf of SWestrans, which we have participated in. As part of our due diligence reviewing the terms of the contracts being tendered, we have identified a liability clause that is far in excess of the value of the contracts on offer.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The spokesperson added: 'Stagecoach is unfortunately unable to agree to a contract on these disproportionate terms, and we have now notified the council. It is our understanding that our bids will not be recommended for award.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
MSP demands action as Ayrshire suspected drugs death figures raise
Between January and March this year, 36 deaths were recorded in Ayrshire where drugs are suspected to have been involved. A MSP has demanded action after new statistics revealed an increase to the number of suspected drug -related deaths in Ayrshire. Figures published by the Scottish Government revealed that, between January and March this year, there were 36 deaths in the county where drugs are suspected to have been involved. It is the second-highest figure recorded in Ayrshire for any quarter since Police Scotland began compiling the figures in 2017. South Scotland MSP, Colin Smyth, has called for action to bolster support for drug rehabilitation and treatment following the release of the statistics. Across Scotland, 308 suspected drugs deaths were recorded in the first quarter of the year - a decrease of 12 on the same period in 2024. The quarterly figures are compiled by Police Scotland and are different to the annually complied figures by the National Records of Scotland. Police Scotland management information is used in the report to provide an indication of current trends in suspected drug deaths across the country. Commenting, Mr Smyth said: 'These tragic statistics show the human cost of over a decade of government failure to tackle Scotland's drugs crisis. 'For the first three months of the year, Ayrshire has recorded 36 drug deaths – and that is 36 too many. It is also the highest figure for three month period that we've seen in years. We must not forget that these numbers represent real people, with real families and friends who are mourning their loss. 'The fact is that there is no silver bullet to bring down drugs deaths – what we need is a joined up approach that includes properly supported rehabilitation and treatment services. 'Delaying action to tackle drug deaths has fatal consequences – it is time for the government to wake up to the tragedy continuing to unfold on its watch and act to save lives.' Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'Every death is a tragedy and through our £250 million National Mission we are determined to continue our efforts to reduce harm and deaths. My condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one. 'While these figures show a quarter-on-quarter rise in suspected drug deaths, they also note a year-on-year fall. We want every person experiencing harm to be able to access the support they need. 'We are taking a wide range of evidence-based measures including opening the UK's first Safer Drug Consumption Facility pilot, working towards drug-checking facilities and widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.'
Scotsman
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
How two local pensioners defeated plans for Galloway National Park
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Was it Media House wot won it? Widely recognised as an extraordinarily divided process, the fierce arguments over the creation of a national park in Galloway and Ayrshire are over. Opponents have won the day decisively, and in their struggle to understand how they lost after years of preparation, supporters point to the involvement of a public relations company as the reason for their defeat. Rather than focusing on the substance of the fundamental weaknesses in the case for imposing a new layer of expensive bureaucracy on an area crying out for investment in poor infrastructure to service an economy reliant on mature dairy and forestry sectors and heavy transport, pro-park campaigners have instead sought to blame the messengers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was no surprise when Galloway was selected – ahead of four rival bids from campaigners in Lochaber, Loch Awe, Tay Forest and the Scottish Borders – because there was no organised grassroots opposition and, as well as a third park being a commitment in the Bute House agreement between the Greens and SNP, a park in Galloway was a Conservative manifesto pledge, the local Labour MSP Colin Smyth was fully in favour and the local councils also appeared supportive. Denise Brownlee, left, and Liz Hitschmann set up a campaign to oppose plans for a Galloway National Park, and quickly discovered many other people were concerned too | contributed Shocked by stiff resistance It looked like a slam dunk, and perhaps the Galloway National Park Association (GNPA), Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) and the Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) thought so too. However, it was not that simple. The pros and cons of a park in Galloway had never been properly tested locally, and despite years of lobbying, the GNPA, APRS and SCNP seemed shocked when stiff resistance appeared from what looked like nowhere. But the arguments had been thoroughly road-tested elsewhere, particularly by the National Farmers' Union Scotland, and problems in the existing two parks led to protests in Braemar and Lochaber campaigners petitioning the Scottish Parliament for an independent review of Cairngorm and Loch Lomond before a third was designated. The Scottish Government's refusal to do so only fuelled suspicions there was something to hide. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The examination of the five bids, contained in last week's NatureScot report on the Galloway consultation process, is revealing. 'Galloway was clearly the least divided with the conversation much more focused around exploring ideas and opportunities rather than asking questions about what a national park is or the process,' it said. 'This will without a shadow of a doubt be because the GNPA have been promoting their campaign for over seven years now within the local area so a lot more people are aware of what a national park is and what the process is as well.' Hardly convincing This was, to put it mildly, an overstatement because there was little evidence of a proper examination of the issues. 'The four engagement sessions took place in four very different communities, however there was an overall sense… that the creation of a national park within the area is something a majority of the community want to see happen,' it continued. Four low-key 'engagement' sessions producing 'an overall sense' in such a large area was hardly convincing and the selection from applications submitted by activists seemed based on which offered the path of least resistance. Galloway looked like it fitted the bill until Denise Brownlee and Liz Hitschmann, two Gatehouse of Fleet pensioners who decided they were not going to let it become a national park without a fight, got the bit between their teeth. Despite being near neighbours, they were only nodding acquaintances until Galloway's selection brought them together and they launched the No Galloway National Park Facebook page to make their opposition known. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Media House had helped the Lochaber campaigners so knew the background, but by the time we were put in touch with Liz and Denise, the Facebook page was already building momentum. They had a strong brand – a logo professionally produced for free by a sympathetic graphic designer – and banners were already being printed for prominent roadside positions. Amplifying the message As the lead Media House consultant – described as 'slick' by the BBC amongst others – maybe I should just sit back and take the plaudits, but that would be unfair to Liz and Denise's impressive intelligence gathering, their energy in attending public meetings, and the speed with which they approved news releases and kept campaigners informed. They were relentless and all we had to do was amplify their message. Our involvement attracted media attention, with the inference of some mysterious right-wing conspiracy, but oddly that attention did not extend to the other side, who had employed consultants, Scottish Festivals PR, for some time. They also had support from the Unesco Biosphere, South of Scotland Enterprise and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, and still they failed to convince enough local people to pledge their support in the consultation, defeated by 54 per cent to 42, with the rest undecided. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What was never answered was why an area crawling with government-funded agencies needed another expensive layer of bureaucracy to give it a boost. And the NC 500, rather than the Lake District, showed what happens when a region with poor infrastructure is over-promoted. What now? The NatureScot report recommends strengthening existing arrangements, including more resources for the Biosphere Reserve, a new plan for the Galloway Forest Park, completion of the coastal path as a key visitor attraction, investment in existing community-led projects, and support for the Solway Firth Partnership. So the often bitter debate has not been for nothing.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Waiting lists for Dumfries and Galloway hospital appointments branded 'devastating'
New figures show that the number of waits for outpatient appointments have hit a record high. Waiting lists for hospital appointments in Dumfries and Galloway have been branded 'devastating'. New figures show that the number of waits for outpatient appointments have hit a record high And Public Health Scotland has noted the increase over the past 12 months is the largest amongst Scotland's health boards. South Scotland Labour MSP, Colin Smyth, said: 'Once again our region has been singled out on a national scale for all the wrong reasons. 'These figures are devastating for our area, exposing the abject failure of the Scottish Government's handling of the NHS. 'We were promised that waiting times would reduce yet these damning figures show how hollow those promises were. 'On John Swinney's watch, the number of patients left waiting for outpatient appointments in Dumfries and Galloway has spiralled. 'No one with a referral should forced to wait so long in pain – yet that is the grim reality for more than thousands of people in our region. 'Our health and care staff across Dumfries and Galloway are working tirelessly to deliver the best possible standard of care, but they simply cannot keep up as there just aren't enough of them. 'These waiting times also have a knock on effect as those who are waiting are forced back to their GP again and again. Serious changes must be made.' At the end of March, there were 559,742 waits across Scotland – down from 560,456 the previous month. In Dumfries and Galloway, the waiting list stood at 13,718 – the highest figure on record and up from 13,364 in February. In March 2024, 10,813 waits were recorded. The Public Health Scotland report notes: 'NHS Dumfries and Galloway shows the biggest percentage increase in ongoing waits at 26.9 per cent. 'NHS Dumfries and Galloway have reported that the rise in ongoing waits relates to staffing issues across multiple services, including ophthalmology and pain management.' The Scottish Government has set a target that 95 per cent of patients should be seen within 12 weeks. In Dumfries and Galloway, 48.4 per cent were seen within that time frame – an improvement on the February figure of 45.7. The national figure was 41.4 per cent. The figures reveal 175 waits had lasted for more than a year and 14 had lasted more than two years. The inpatient waiting list stood at 5,192 at the end of March, down from 5,314 at the end of February. The March 2024 figure was 5,059. Just 31.1 per cent of patients were seen within 12 weeks, with 763 waits lasting more than one year and 10 more than two years. A healthboard spokesman said: 'NHS Dumfries and Galloway acknowledges the concern around the recent increase in waiting list numbers. This reflects a complex situation, including rising demand and the demographic challenges of a rural region with an ageing population. 'The figures refer specifically to first outpatient appointments with a doctor, and do not include follow-ups or care delivered by other healthcare professionals. In some cases, speciality waits are influenced by national scheduling availability, not local services alone. 'Despite these challenges, NHS Dumfries and Galloway continues to perform well, with one of the lowest numbers of people waiting over a year for a consultant-led outpatient appointment. 'A key target for NHS boards is to ensure that no one waits more than 52 weeks for an outpatient or inpatient appointment. We work towards that while prioritising those in need of urgent care, seeking to expand clinical capacity and developing new models of care to reduce waiting times wherever possible.' A Scottish Government spokesperson added: 'It is encouraging and indeed a testament to our hardworking NHS staff that the statistics published this week are showing improvements in some outpatient, diagnostic and inpatient/day case waiting-times performance metrics. 'Our 2025-26 budget provides record funding of £21 billion for health and social care – with NHS boards receiving an additional £200 million to reduce waiting lists and help support reduction of delayed discharge. 'NHS boards have exceeded the commitment to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures in 2024-25, funded through our £30 million investment, with boards reporting delivery of 105,500 appointments and procedures.'
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Mixed reaction from politicians to news Galloway will not become national park
The decision was slammed by Labour's Colin Smyth, while Tories Finlay Carson and John Cooper criticised the NatureScot consultation. There has been a mixed reaction from politicians to the news that Galloway will not become Scotland's third national park. The decision was slammed by Labour's Colin Smyth, while Tories Finlay Carson and John Cooper criticised the NatureScot consultation. The SNP's Emma Harper believed the decision showed the Scottish Government had listened to local people. Reacting to Thursday's announcement from Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon at Holyrood, South Scotland MSP Mr Smyth said: 'For too long, Galloway has been Scotland's forgotten corner – and the government made it clear it wants to tear down the 'Welcome to Dumfries and Galloway' signs and put up 'No Entry' instead. 'The Cabinet Secretary knows she could've brought forward plans for Galloway that supported farming and forestry and helped them thrive. She could have built something special. Made a change for the better. Instead, she has taken the easy way out and walked away. 'The government has failed to set out an alternative to its inaction. No plan B to fix a local economy built on low pay. No action to stop the fastest depopulation in mainland Scotland'. 'This isn't just about ditching a national park – this is about ditching Galloway's future.' The Tories were critical of the consultation process. Dumfries and Galloway MP, Mr Cooper, said: 'The consultation on a Galloway National Park was deeply flawed – it was always far too vague. 'And while I raised right at the start questions about what weighting would be given to the opinions of those living in Dumfries and Galloway compared to those outwith, I never got a satisfactory answer. 'There were attempts to portray the 'blank sheet of paper' approach of the consultation as a good thing, but it was nebulous, and led to claim and counterclaim about what a Galloway National Park might be like. 'Galloway is not like the other two parks – our hills have hill farms, not just hillwalkers – and no way should remote and distant national park bureaucrats be anywhere near decisions on some of the most productive grassland in the UK. 'Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Dumfries and Galloway, and it's not just about farmers and stockmen – it's about the hundreds of jobs in associated businesses, from seed merchants to machinery firms, to accountants who do the books.' Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Mr Carson added: 'The government's handling of the national park selection process has been opaque, inconsistent, and dismissive of genuine local engagement. 'Communities across Galloway invested time, energy, and hope into a process which could and should have united communities, but that process was poorly communicated and ultimately felt predetermined. 'Rather than fostering trust and collaboration, the Government's approach has sown division and confusion. It has left many wondering whether rural voices are truly being heard in this parliament. 'We could have avoided months of uncertainty and frustration. We should have had an independent review of the existing parks so that lessons could be learned.' Naturecot's consultation revealed the majority of people who responded were from the area that would be covered by the national park, with 54 per cent of respondents against the idea. South Scotland MSP Emma Harper said: 'Too often the Scottish Government and its agencies are accused of not listening to the voices of the people, so I hope those accusations can be brought to a peep now that the consultation process has been shown to be open, transparent and fair, and was one of the major factors determining the Government's decision. 'Going forward we need to strike the right balance between biodiversity, the natural environment, tourism and the economic development all of our communities are striving for regardless of their views on the park itself. 'I firmly believe that whatever views each of us held on the proposals that were on the table and expressed through the consultation process, we all collectively need to work together on how we develop Galloway economically, socially, and culturally over the years and decades ahead. 'That work would require to be done regardless of whether national park status was a reality, but now the decision has been made it's more relevant and urgent than ever.'
