Rosyth anger at new bridge work
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 6 May 2011 08:05
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Upset neighbours, from left, Valerie Gadsby, Alison and Zoe Smith and Penny and Donald Maplesden.
ANGRY Rosyth residents claim they have been kept in the dark about major work on their doorstep connected to the new Forth road bridge.
Trees have been chopped down removing a natural barrier to the noise, dust and fumes from traffic on the M90 at the bridge approach, as well creating a loss of privacy to residents in Park Lea.
Now they have been told that a grassy area in front of their homes, where children play and people walk their dogs, is the subject of a compulsory purchase order so that a large overhead traffic information gantry can be erected this summer.
Valerie Gadsby, who lives at number 26, said, "I've lived here 25 years and during the summer you could hardly see the traffic on the road through the trees when they were in full leaf.
"Now we have this big gap and when I look out of my bedroom window some mornings there's a line of lorries sitting backed up just outside and it's a complete loss of privacy."
Penny Maplesden, who lives at number two, said, "I went to meetings at the time of the consultation last year and there was no mention of a gantry being built here.
"We've been kept in the dark about all this and now we've been told that claims for compensation have to be in by the middle of May.
"We've always had the road there but the trees acted as a screen and that's being taken away.
"Now with a gantry being built we don't how we're going to be affected by the construction."
Her husband, Donald, said, "The trees coming down has made it a lot noisier and has affected the air quality over here at our homes."
Maralyn Donnelly, at number 29, said, "We just want to hear more about what the plans are for this work right on our doorsteps but so far we've been told nothing."
Jane Ewan, who lives at 28, said, "There's just so much uncertainty and there's also talk of them taking down more trees as work goes on."
Rosyth councillor Douglas Chapman said, "This is the biggest construction project Scotland has seen and work needs to proceed but it's very important that local residents are kept onside and are fully informed.
"It's clear that the residents of Park Lea feel that hasn't happened but we've had assurances that it will happen in future."
Helen Eadie was contacted by the residents and has taken up their case. "I have been the biggest supporter of a new Forth crossing but now that the contractors have been given the green light and want to get on with the job quickly that can't be at the expense of local people," she said.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said, "The trees have indeed been removed because an overhead gantry is being installed.
"We have contacted Rosyth Community Council and we are looking to set up a meeting with the Park Lea residents to answer their concerns.
"One possibility is mitigating measures such as temporary screening."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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******
May 6, 13:50
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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James
Unregistered User
May 6, 16:26
Report commentI love the photo, the "I'm nae chuffed" face of a typical whingers
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lmao at them aw
Unregistered User
May 7, 18:43
Report commenti suppose the trees blocked all the fumes and hid the traffic from veiw in the winter too???? aswell as having amazing noise canceling properties......
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NEILY-J
Unregistered User
May 9, 15:15
Report commentHAHAHAHA thats well funny min, pure cut aw the trees doon n that min, nae danger
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keepoofthelawn
Unregistered User
May 10, 10:51
Report commentThe owners could plant trees in their gardens to cancel out the noise and 'pollution' of the motorway that was their before their houses where built. The trees cut down where about 10-15 years old...so they lived without them for a long time.
Why do they need to cut trees down so far north of the bridge?
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lyn ferguson
Unregistered User
May 12, 22:26
Report commentIt is easy to be funny when it is not happening in your area. Many of the the trees are conifers and keep their leaves, that is why they were planted about thirty years ago, and they act as a filter for noise and dust.
Thank you keepofthelawn for asking a most important question-
I really wish someone would tell us "why they need to cut down trees so far north of the bridge"
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axe man
Unregistered User
May 15, 11:19
Report commentwe didn't need to chop them down so far north it's just we got carried away that all and the over time was good
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Jimbo
Unregistered User
May 15, 18:23
Report commentFrom the picture, it's quite clear that a skinny line of trees and some small shrubs or just grass have been removed. There is absolutely no reason to think that provided ANY measurable barrier to noise, fumes or dust. It's very easy to research this on the interweb. I'd guess they would need a barrier of shrubs, medium and tall trees one hundred feet wide to reduce noise by just 25%.
However, I DO think it would have been better for them to be notified and this could have been explained to them.
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Jeely Nay
Unregistered User
May 16, 16:04
Report commentNae-one asked you to stay next to a motorway, if your nae happy......move!
No brainer fer me likes
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hammy
Unregistered User
May 19, 12:25
Report commentStaying next to a motorway was not a problem for 25 years until they started to cut the trees down.
Typical comment from someone with no brains. cheers Jeely Nay brains.
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jan the man
Unregistered User
May 23, 15:15
Report commentwhat a bunch of boring looking--********
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