Traders and residents left angry over Vale regeneration plans have united in a bid to strengthen their voice – with two new community groups formed.
A pilot Alexandria Community Council and new Alexandria Traders Association have been set up, with those involved keen to ensure that mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.
Last year West Dunbartonshire Council published a masterplan for Alexandria, which included redeveloping the crumbling Mitchell Way, renovating the iconic Smollett Fountain and making the Main Street more pedestrian friendly.
However, locals have been left angry at what they feel is a lack of consultation over the decisions taken – and now hope that coming together will give them a stronger voice.
They say they have formed the groups “because of the lack of communication and information being given to the community at a very important time in the town’s history”.
The Lennox met with some of those involved, who outlined their aims – and concerns – for the Vale.
Angela Caldwell explained: “We want a voice back. Because this isn’t good enough. The Community Council and Traders’ Association want to have their views heard. Because they aren’t the same as the council’s. We need to pause, rebuild and reconsider.
“The masterplan didn’t ever have a delivery plan. That’s the issue. There’s a lack of communication and it feels like the process is broken.”
Councillors approved ambitious plans for a complete overhaul of the Vale last year. The 10-year Alexandria Masterplan aims to overhaul the rundown Main Street and transform the crumbling Mitchell Way.
More than £12million would be invested in the Vale from a mixture of public and private funds.
The 12 projects in the plan include the building of a new Lidl store on Mitchell Way, along with the demolition of the existing eyesore shopping area and building of new homes. A planning application for the new Lidl was lodged earlier this year, with campaigners saying the long-awaited plans would leave Alexandria town centre “like a housing estate”.
Other projects include widening the pavements with increased seating, flowers and trees, new pedestrian crossings and increased signage.
Work is already underway on restoring the Smollett Fountain and overhauling Alexandria Library.
Christie Park is also in line for a community-led refurbishment, with chiefs optimistic about working with the owners of Loch Lomond Galleries to breathe new life into the shopping centre, and host exhibitions in its grounds.
Rev Ian Miller agreed and said:“Things are happening, you should be grateful. That’s how it feels. But we’re not getting the things that we need.
“Come and engage with us and we’ll tell you what’s required. It doesn’t take a PHD to walk along the Main Street and folk will tell you about the issues. It’s absolutely dire.”
The group includes Sian Wilkie, of Wilkie and Rider opticians, who stood as an independent candidate at last week’s local government elections.
And she said that a lack of progress is what made up her mind on standing for election.
Sian said: “Nobody is taking accountability. The buck is passed. People say they are sorry and that there’s nothing they can do about it.
“My father was in the traders’ association before me. Nothing has changed in 22 years.
“It’s obscene. The place looks ridiculous. People want to spend money in their community. Throughout the lockdown we had the shop local campaign. But how can people get excited to shop in Alexandria when it looks like it does?
“There’s a National Park five minutes away. But nobody knows about us, and if they did come along then they’d feel unsafe. The Vale should be a safe, historical place that people want to come and visit.
“Our voice needs to be heard otherwise we’ll all close and our community will not exist anymore.
“We want to fight to stop that. We want to bring the heart back into the Vale.
“We’re not trying to be difficult. We just really want a voice.”
And with £750,000 works on the historic Smollett Fountain underway, the group have been left questioning why it was given priority. Kevin Mason said: “None of us would have any objection to investment into an iconic feature within the town.
“But it’s the context of it and it’s the prioritisation of it that’s the issue.
“These processes have been agreed in isolation of any wider vision or town for the communities.
“We need a conversation about the reimagined purpose of the town; from a retailers’ perspective, from the council’s perspective and from a residents’ perspective. These need to be joined up.
“But there seems to be a lack of interest and awareness for a common vision and common purpose.
“For the third largest town in West Dunbartonshire, and the one which has the Loch next to it, it’s time to be better. It’s time to set higher standards.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We are committed to regenerating Alexandria and gave local traders and residents opportunities to shape the future of the town. There have been multiple consultations with residents and businesses on the Fountain project.
“This included one-to-one contact with businesses, a drop-in event, a dedicated consultation website and feedback on a draft masterplan.
“This helped the council identify local priorities and develop a series of key projects which will guide land use, development and bring about positive change in Alexandria over the next 10 years.”
