If tourists were to step from the platform of our new world linking train line what would they find?
The town has possibly the greatest collection of Sun bed facilities, charity stores, fast food from around the globe and cheapest and best budget shopping in the western world.
These are exactly the reasons nobody will visit our town and the reasons that retailers will not invest.
It is now six months since the residents of Airdrie voted for change in the community.
It’s time for the SNP to step up to the plate and rescue Airdrie.
The Scottish election saw our country radically alter its political viewpoint and send shockwaves through the United Kingdom’s more traditionally successful parties.
Arguably for most commentators the biggest shock was the SNP victory in Airdrie, not a shock to me though as the demise of the town should have saw Labour ejected from power several elections ago.
The poor state of repair of the town centre, the not very welcoming variety of shopping or social points and more importantly the ever increasing level of anti social behaviour and crime are the major gripes for the Airdrie voters.
The past is the past and the complacent Labour governance has gone, but things are not getting better and our new MSP Alex Neil needs to get a grip fast.
The town centre is now a no go area after dark and the areas surrounding it are hazardous at all times.
Where are locals going for an evenings entertainment?
People often suggest that the youths of today have nothing to do, it may be correct that it is difficult to self entertain in a community where every activity has a cost, but it is no excuse for some to create mayhem.
Why is it that I can see gangs of youths parading about in there tellitubbie coloured tracksuits pestering people and openly drinking but the police can’t?
Come to think of it how come I can’t see the police, are they not wearing their high viz jackets anymore?
Lets here from the "youths" of Airdrie, what do you want from the town? and do you feel safe in the community?
Alex Neil is sitting with the First Minister as the new SNP government try to rectify the national economic balance within the UK and across Europe, these are not my priorities and not the issues that made Airdrie vote SNP, all locally elected members should sort their own constituencies before they embark on other agendas.
In your six months in Power Mr Neil what have you achieved that directly impacts on Airdrie?
The old John Orr's building and old Cinema are still empty and falling apart and local shops are closing on a weekly basis.
The new direct rail link to Edinburgh opened with a flurry of excitement with MP's risking injury with the constant back slapping.
The access Airdrie has to our countries capital is fantastic but did anyone consider the consequences?
Airdrie is now open to everybody.
Airdrie was never a tourist or travellers destination, we sit at the end of a line that only residents use, now though we are a central hub for travelers from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back, and yes this could include a large number of tourists.
Great, the town would benefit greatly from tourist and travelers cash, which should be the council and political view. Well, it would appear the local council and politicians don’t share this view.
Prior to the rail links completion, investment was not encouraged or expressed within the town leaving the current state of welcome to our town as pathetic.
Would you visit Airdrie?
An Airdrie guide book would make for interesting reading.
"currently if you walk around the town centre you will observe several charity shops, several sun bed shops, several bookmakers, several kebab shops, several opticians and over a hundred (slightly exaggerated) estate agents".
This suggests that the town is full of overweight, sun tanned, spectacle wearing gamblers that are always looking to move house. Not very appealing to passers through or tourists, then again it isn’t really appealing to the local residents either.
The rail link has brought an opportunity to get outsiders spending money in our community, this should allow for investment in our town and its facilities.
Calculated risks are required by the council to lure top retailers.
The investment should have happened anyway, it hasn't,the council and local MP’s have never shown any concern for the commercial or social appeal of our town, the promise of people visiting to spend money should change that.
There are people within our community that can help and have clearly got the visions that could help to market our town.
Alex Forrest of Friends of West End and Centenary Park group, what a difference he has made to the park areas around the cenotaph. The council should use people like Mr Forrest to freshen up the town.
Jon-Marc Creaney, take a look at the renovation work he has managed at the old Wellwynd church that is the style we should encourage throughout the town centre. Mr Creaney has highlighted the lack of innovation within the council planning department for their "big white medicine cabinet" that is to be the focal point of the town centre, yes we need a new medical centre but should it be the towns best feature?
They used to say “Build it and they will come” if we can’t manage that then maybe we can try “Tidy it and they will come”
The SNP promised a lot, Alex Neil set his campaign on local issues............the clock is ticking.
Can they deliver before it is too late?
Remember voters are watching and Labour may not be complacent next time.
Lets here you Airdrie, lets all work together for the community.
