An informal group is celebrating following the installation of new benches and access improvements at Cumbernauld Library.
Cumbernauld Out and About Group, which began just before the first Covid-19 lockdown, was formed to highlight the barriers to active travel locally and campaign for improvements.
So far, they have secured the installation of six benches in the town, worked with council officers to highlight issues which limit people’s ability to access local services and reached an agreement with town centre management to improve access to Cumbernauld Library by making alterations to the door system.
The group is keen for more people to join them and help make Cumbernauld a better place to get ‘out and about’.
Group chairperson, Annette Carruthers, said: “We think it’s important to play our part in improving our town and this group is a fun, relaxed, way to do that.
"We’re delighted to have been able to secure six new benches in partnership with Living Streets and North Lanarkshire Council and we’ve highlighted key issues to our local councillors and senior council officers.
“One of our members raised the difficulties he had in accessing Cumbernauld Library because the doors were too heavy for him to open from his wheelchair, and we’re delighted this has now been addressed.
“We hope to continue to grow and are open to suggestions about what kind of things we should be focusing on going forward. If you have an interest in walking or improving access to active travel routes locally, please consider coming along to one of our meetings. It’s a good laugh and there’s tea and biscuits – what’s not to like."
Councillor James McPhilemy (Labour, Cumbernauld South) added: “For a relatively small group of people, the Out and About group has achieved a lot already.
"If you’re up for helping to highlight local issues and advocating for improvements, please consider coming along to one of the meetings – the group will make you very welcome.”
The group meets on the last Friday of every month between 10.15am and 12.15pm at Freedom City Church on St Mungo’s Road.
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