The traffic Island ???
Posted: Wednesday, 07 September 2005 |
Comments
Welcome Bute Ranter, great to see a Bute Bloggers, you could say "Ya Butey!" Can you send us a confirmation email to islandblogging@bbc.co.uk thanks
Mike from BBC Glasgow
Just a wee note on your info about this lovely Island. We have a population of approx. 7,000 not 800 as listed....... Ok there isn't much to do when you reach 18 either move away or get a dead end job. However there is an endless supply of pubs. about 30 within a 1 mile radius!! How can you complain!!! Come over some... you'll love it!!
Niloc from Isle of Bute
Must have been a typo on my behalf, your population has been resurrected with my apologies.
Mike from BBC Glasgow
yes i agree what waste of money surprised no-one has been knocked down yet. it was fine the way it was so what do they do. they make it intolerable, so as in a few weeks they can come along and say, we've had a brainwave whay dont we fix that roundabout. oh and by the way its gonna cost you 120 grand. when there is no reason why they could not just put it back the way it was. AT NO EXTRA COST. and lets face it. it was fine with the t junction. and to my knowledge it had been like that for the best part of 29 years with no fatalities. lets face it they love to waste money over here. just look at the we park next to jimmy duncans garage. you know the one. where the lights dont work and all the junkies hang out. what a mess. why did they not just clean up the lade at the same time... well its because thats just to much like hard work... oh and remember its much better to take the best part of a year to finish a job with unskilled workers, than to finish it in a quarter of that time with trained pros and at half the cost. because its easier to get somone on the new deal then sack them, and besides "my boys have more important things to do" (like standing around talking, knocking off early, or the old favourite, one man works (usually the new deal boy) and three others stand around passing orders down the line to him,,, i ask you this will the inbreeding ever stop
smooth by the way from bute
i love rothesay its lovely with all the junkies and fighting and crime it reminds me of iraq
meo from rothesay
I am deserter of the Island as jobs are limited, however I do try to get back home as often as possible to the Beautiful island of Bute. I wholehearteldy dissargee with the comment from Niloc that once you reach 18 the only thing you can do is go to the pub. You have obvioulsy never spent any time exploring and discovering all the natural beauty that the island has to offer. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy many of the beautiful walks including the "West Island Way" a lovely walk that is approx 30 miles long and starts at the Kilchattan Bay at south end of the Island and finishes at Port Bannatyne in the north. Also the Island has many lovley beaches and is unique in the fact that Higland Fault Line runs right through the island which has resulted in beaches in the north being light limestone sand and in south darker red sandstone. The Island also has an increasing amount of very nice restaurants and cafes, a world famous Heritage site in Mount Stuart House, a beautiful castle, Leisure centre and ofcourse those putting greens on the front. So as you can see Bute has much more than pubs to offer and what I have told you only covers a little of what can be done on the island, so go visit or indeed those who are luck enough to live there get out and discovery what you Island has to offer! I'm sure you will be surprised and delighted with all that you find.
Lindy from Glasgow formerly Bute
We're a little bit bigger than 11 miles too...
Butenet from Bute
Oh? What size would you say is more accurate?
Mike from Glasgow
you have '15 miles long by approximately 4 miles' written under where it says 11miles ;-)
Zak from Bute
smooth by the way. You dont have an inbreeding problem now. The Island has been taken over by newcomers now. Not helping you locals ever being able to afford a house of your own I might add.
escapee from Central Belt
The idea of a roundabout in Rothesay, and at such a place in the town beggars belief. I would suggest they spend the money on a coat of paint for the town front. Its not only the fact that they've selected a really stupid place for the thing, but its still not finished after two years. There, that's my rant, I now feel much better for that.
escapee from Central Belt
Lindy, you are absolutely right, the Island has so much to offer in respect off natural beauty. There is so much to see and do if you like the outdoors. I dont get down much at all, but I used to holiday there years ago and spent most of the time exploring. However, it's sadly not everybody's cup of tea in todays world of playstations computers etc. People just dont venture out into the real world, and its a shame. They dont know what they are missing.
escapee from Central Belt
Hey I hear that Rothesay's trying for the mugging capital of the islands now. What on earth has happened to the place???
escapee from Central Belt
Sign of the times Escapee.I dont think Rothesay is any worse than anywhere else.
Beufighter from Isle of Bute
Have to dis-agree on that one I'm afraid. Such a lot of trouble in such a small community as Rothesay???. I suspect it;s linked to the drugs problem you have now inherited on the Island. I often wonder where the police get to in these matters. It's not hard to find who's selling the stuff. There are some pretty rough areas in my neck of the woods, and to be honest, I have never heard of one, let alone three muggings in three days in my town.
escapee from Ex Islander
Escapee!!!!!A quid to a penny its linked to the drug problem.You must live in a very select area not to have even one mugging,or perhaps it is too cold up there for the neds to venture out.The police???????Probably busy with speeding motorists..lol
Beufighter from IoB
Seems there was only one mugging.It grieves me that these things are reported without confirmation of the facts
Beufighter from IoB
Beufighter - Select area it is not. Perhaps it's just the fact that they are too busy burning out cars and stabbing each other to bother with mugging.
escapee from Ex Islander
Back to this silly roundabout idea. Everytime I drive round this stupid construction, I have to dodge pedestrians crossing over or walking round it the opposite way to the traffic, instead of using the pavements. Its not entirely their fault, its just that they dont seem to realize its a roundabout til they're actually on it, and the fact that its not fully completed yet. The original junction was easy to understand for the pedestrian, and much much safer. Get it back to what it was, before somebody gets killed on it.
escapee from Ex Islander
Don't you realise how damaging your comments about muggings are to the islands tourist industry? I spent most weekends and all my holidays in rothesay until 2002, and not once did I feel unsafe. It's an wonderful environment to grow up in, I would have loved the freedom I had on the island when back in glasgow during the week. The odd minor crime happens, as it does anywhere, yes there are drugs but I wouldn't say it's terribly noticable. The island is a fantastic place, although I couldn't imagine living there full time due to my career.
LP from Ex Butegirl
Could not agree more LP.Unfortunatly the initial post on muggings (inacurate as it was) ,was made by an incomer to the island who dosent miss a chance to bring it down,whether it be law and order or commitment by the council etc.This can be seen by his comments on his PaD As i have stated in the past. If you want island life accept it for what it is,or do what others have done LEAVE.
Tex from WL
Odd to see you talking about 'incomers' Tex when you left the island decades ago. I think in terms of islanders and visitors. You're no longer an islander so when did you last visit the island?
Jimi from Bute
Not going down the Brandane/Local/Incomer Visitor route again Jim.That topic has already been well thrashed out on other forums.You are well entitled to think as you do.As to my last visit?26-29/01/06.My next will be in March all going well.
Tex from WL
never been mugged or run over in Rothesay. The flood wall however is a catastrophy, do not let the same thing happen when they develop the Ferry Terminal. Ask for a design competition and invite the best architects in Scotland to have a go.
visitor from glasgow
If the 'incomer' issue has been well thrashed out on other forums why did you raise it here, Tex? And I note that you very carefully avoided answering the question you were asked by answering a question nobody asked you.
Jimi from Bute
Oh dear Jim !!Please read the posts properly..I did not raise the incomer question here.I refered to one..The question i was asked??I take it that was the one about my last visit??which if you look again ,you will see was answered As you appear to have a bea in your bonnet about my posts, i suggest we continue this conversation by E-Mail.You have my address.
Tex from WL
You're right, Tex, I missed the bit where you pointed out your last visit for 3 days in Jan 2005. That qualifies you as a visitor, right enough. Sorry, I don't have your email, you must be mistaking me for somebody else.
Jimi from Bute
Still not reading properly Jim!!!.For 2005 read 2006..OK i accept i am a visitor,but also a Brandane,and i qualify as an islander as i am domiciled on the British Isles.Splitting hairs i know.but there you have it. Now perhaps you can come up with somwthing decent to debate instead of nit picking.How about the sea wall???
Tex from WL
I enjoy picking on nits, Tex. And I think referring to yourself as an islander in the context of discussing Bute because you live in the British Isles is also nit-picking, or is there a difference between hair-splitting and nit-picking that let's you do it and others not?
Jimi from Bute
Goodbye Jimi.You are getting a little hysterical now.If i want a slagging match i will go elsewhere.Butenet even,,,,
Tex from WL
Jimi! If you like nits, might I suggest Edinburgh Zoo. I'm sure you will be able to pick to your hearts content there. Maybe make a few friends along the way. Our Ancestors rumour has it.
escapeee from Ex Islander
Goodbye, Tex. Have a nice life wherever you're going.
Jimi from Bute
youre scaring off the tourists thats for sure cant you be more positive in your outlooks or is it a genetic thing?
geoffrey sultan-hanson from north yorkshire
The tourists were scared off long ago Emir..Something to do with the prices of acommodation i believe.
Beufighter from I of B
There has been a bit of a comeback in the last few years. Mainly short break holidays though. But its a start. As beufighter says, it is extremeley expensive to other destinations by comparison. But then, other places would be hard pushed to match the beauty of the Island.
escapee from Ex Islander
I think there is a hint of bias in your post Escapee.Bute is indeed a beautiful island but there are other places equally as nice or nicer.(North America for example)?I know where i would rather be on a miserable winters day
Beufighter from I of B
It can still be lovely in the winter
escapee from ex islander
Why all so negative! I must continue to work off the island but have a partner who has retired to the island. I visit as often as I can - going over next week in fact. I love going and hate to leave again! The scenery is fabulous no matter the weather. Must agree about the 'roundabout' comments - I'd describe it as more of an obstruction in the middle of the road though!
Ellie from Central Belt
must agree Ellie why so negative the island has much to offer i myself have family on bute and visit whenever i can in fact will be there on thursday till monday with my young family who i might add love your island we have never been mugged or run over allthough the roundabout has confused me
charles mclean from campbeltown
Thanks Charles - Just back yesterday from my 5 day jaunt - had a very relaxing time. I used the roundabout a number of times and had a laugh thinking of the comments here. One thing I am concerned about is the discussions to put traffic lights up for traffic coming off the ferry - I can't see it will make much difference to the free flowing of traffic turning right - in fact might make matters worse - that junction is too busy.
Ellie from Central Belt
Dare I say it - It would maybe have been a better idea with one of the mini roundabouts at the pier. It may have kept the traffic flowing a bit better. As long as they finished it that is. And not leaving it like the other one. Just have the crossing a bit further along the road.
escapee from ex islander
Rothesay has traffic lights at the end of the pier now.
Winston from somewhere near bute
BOO,,How often is there a problem?Answer:Only when a ferry is offloading.How often Tell me.I overlook the pier and to be honest i see no problem whatsoever.
Beufighter from I of B
The new traffic lights should have come with instructions. I was behind a car driving up to the traffic lights on saturday. They were at green, and the car in front slams on its brakes and stops to let people cross the road. No amount of me blasting the horn would make her shift until half the town got across. Then she drives off into the distance totally oblivious to the hassle she was causing. Hope she never decides to take the ferry someday and drive on the mainland. Ahhh. Nothing like a wee bit of road rage to see you through your day. haha
escapee from ex islander
What was the driver supposed to do ? carry on and just knock down the pedestrians - it's a wide road to cross - of course pedestrians will try their luck - what you describe is an example of an incident lots of other people predicted - me included! Is the zebra crossing still in place as well?
Ellie from Central Belt
The people did'nt walk across in front of the driver, the driver stopped to let them cross. Now as its a normal set of traffic lights, it also has a button for pedestrians to use to get across. And its not a wide road to cross, it was at the memorial, which is actually very narrow. So what the driver was supposed to do was drive through the green lights, as normal. The zebra crossing has been away at that part for almost a year I believe. Bye the way - It was'nt you was it.lol
e from ex islander
Road rage Escapee? tsk tsk Remember what happened to your alter ego.I have not seen these wonderful lights yet,only pictures courtesy of the Happy Snapper.but i should imagine they are much the same as lights all over the country.The lady should have been charged with careless driving,If she had done the same on the mainland.the outcome would probably have been an insurance job,and the poor sod who hit her would be done for not keeping the correct distance..I`m rather surprised that your reflexes are in such good order.lol
Tex from W.L
No ex islander it wasn't me - Anyway - what's with the 'she' this and that - she was a driver -that's the point -but then it could easily have been a guy - probably with a mobile phone at his ear trying his best to put on a show of multi tasking - lolxxxxx
Ellie from Central Belt
My reflexes are just fine Tex. Been dodging plates, pots and pans for most of my married life and not been hit yet lol. I suppose people will get used to the lights eventually. As you say - if it happened on the mainland, it could have more serious results. When you drive on the Island, you tend to be more wary of other drivers I find.
escapee from ex islander
OH DEAR!!!! Another touchy female driver I fear. Listen - I could'nt give a toss whether it was a he or she. It just happened to be a she. Ok??? I was just making a point about the effect the lights were having on the Island, thats all. Now, if you want to stir it up, there are plenty other site's to do so. Dont waste this one please.
escapee from ex islander
I'm only an associate member of this lovely island and I don't usually knock it and as a non driver I have no complaints re the roundabout or the traffic lights. My niggle is about something for which there is no answer - the noise from those blasted seagulls!! Can start as early as 3am and sometimes goes on all night. I live on the seafront and the dratted things roost on the ridge of this roof. Any suggestions? Please don't say move as I love it here.
Memasel from Bute
Stick a cat on the roof.That will get rid of two pests at the same time
Tex from WL
IF you think the new traffic lights are bad how do you think car drivers will cope with the new round about when they cant use the old one
jockie from bute
Honestly, driving on Bute is a doddle compared to anywhere else. I don't understand all the complaints...
isle-of-bute.org from The Jewel in the Clyde
There has always been a round about at the foot of Bishop St, in the past anyone wishing to turn into Bishop St from the front st needed to go round the small Albert Fountain garden, the new system is a much the same in the it is a filter system, also it will provide much needed loading bays and some extra parking for shoppers....now thats not a bad thing! and if anything it should make traffic slow down a bit.
St Blane from St Blanes Chapel
Bute is wonderful and I spent all my summers there as a child and as a teenager. I then took my children who in turn will no doubt take their's. I keep being drawn back and have the most fantastic memories of the 60's on Bute.
anne from isle of wight
I have been coming to Bute for over 30 years and I would not go anywhere else plenty of pubs, most of the people are friendly and No shops (except woollies) which is the most sorry 2nd appealing thing about Bute the 1st is the scenery.
Bramble from Scotland
Muggings on Bute?...come on!! Don't think so, think someone is mistaking the place for Govan or somewhere!!! escapee seems to be an old grump!! Do you not think the people who planned the road layout would have considered all the options about which road layout would work best!! Seems to me like you must be one of the people on the Island who can't drive and would be more likely to cause an accident!!!
butey from Bute
ok well i can c that this is a very lively place.... firstly if driving on bute WAS a doddle its now alot more dificult.. the rules for the new road systems could only be understood by an advanced driver.. fact is i have seen the no entry boxes at the pier constantly being improperly used.. people stopping at the red light confronting you closest to bleatrhers and during the busiest times of days when the boat is in, tail backs all the way back to the pavilion. yes i said the pavilion.. who ever thought it all up must'v been given a course in road traffic regulations and then reaconed that scinse they understood it all then why cant everyone else.. VERY POORLY IMPLIMENTED. i also noticed that pedestrians are having a very hard time understanding the new raod layout and susequent rules.. and since they dont understand they simply break the rules.. think the person who thought it up should have done a course in health and safety..as the pedestrian crossing has no deaf persons bleeper which i thought was a basic rule for them. i am of the firm belief that it is only a matter of time before someone is INJURED or KILLED as a direct result of these new unnessesary changes.. the old system had no problems and did not need changed.. and bet ALL OUR COUNSIL TAXES WILL GO UP BY AN EXTRAVEGANT AMOUNT TO PAY FOR IT ALL...
smooth in it big yin from bute
by the way there was a mugging and yes it was committed by a junkie.. (no shortage of them in rothesay these days) can i also point out that the vast majority of crime in rothesay goes unrepported.. for fear of reprisals. as in such a small place, if you turn up at court to give evidence. well lets just say that your less than anonymous. the drugs problem over here is more than just a problem it is well out of hand, and a large part of a seedy underground culture in rothesay, visitors rarely see it, but believe me it is there and thriving. and is the reason for the vast majority of crime in the town. whether it is to fund the next fix in trade by theft or to pay off the last one in the same manor. there is barely a youngster in the town that has not had a run in with drugs in some form or another. fact is you could only walk two steps on montague street during the day whithout bumping into someone who could easily supply you with your hearts desire. fact is that this is how its done in rothesay. and for youngsters it is a badge of shame NOT to have tried drugs. in alot of cases people who do not take drugs are ostricised. and considered periors, by thier piers. anyone who does not believe that drugs are a severe problem in bute, are not in touch and do not hold the pulse of the town.. people who dont see the problem dont understand it. if your an outsider then your access to the required intel is curtailed. people do not speak about it openly to outsiders. because loyalty to the team is the most important thing..
person who loves this wee toon from this wee toon
I've never lived there, but have visited often. It's scary to witness the utterly random/dangerous manouvers carried out by the residents. If the traffic police ever bothered to venture across, without advanced warning in the Buteman, they'd have a field day! You could probably subsidise the ferry trips with the fines/tickets issued. It's a shame that such a nice place has been ruined by the neds, otherwise I'd visit more often.
Sarah from Mainland
I think that there is a bit of perspective lacking in many of the comments here. Firstly, the roundabouts: Yes, the temporary arrangement at the bottom of Bishop street was a bit of a mess and confusing and, even during the eventual construction stage I was a bit perplexed about how it was all going to work. I can therefore understand some of the earlier comments. However, now that it is complete both new roundabouts make perfect sense to me and only took a couple of days to get used to. the Bishop street roundabout is actualy well thought out and the extra parking useful. It has also almost totally eliminated the inconsiderate, (and illegal,) double parking that used to be rife outside the Co-op. The Gallowgate mini-roundabout legitimises the previously dodgy u-turns that many of us used to do there previously! Crime levels: There was indeed A mugging in the past year, which was shocking as many knew the unfortunate victim. Yes, drug use was an issue in this incident. and yes, drugs are an issue on the island. So is under age drinking and anti-social behaviour among young people. I would not seek to diminish the aggro all these cause to residents of Bute at times, and I think that there is definitely a perception that "things have got worse" in recent years, howver, I travel regularly to Glasgow, Clydebank, Ayrshire and see that the same issues predominate there - to a much greater extent. I am constantly amazed, for example, at the level of drug fuelled stabbings, shootings and murders reported regularly in the Clydebank and Dumbarton local papers, (I have been an islander for 20 years but was brought up in that area and it was much the same 30 years ago!) Again, the problems on Bute, whilst serious, particularly the drugs issue, should not be blown out of proportion. Yes, it needs addressing, (particularly providing more and better employment and leisure opportunities for our young people,) but I don't see Glaswegians shouting from their rooftops -" Don't come to Glasgow 'cos we've got a drugs problem!" The Traffic lights: These are problematic and badly considered. However, the main point here has been missed. The main problem is the vast amount of retrospective engineering that has taken place to make the facilities in Rothesay fit the new ferries! You know, the ones that don't run as often these days, that can't get into Wemyss Bay as regularly, that you have to access via the car ramp, more often than not and that now take longer to unload/load, partially due to the traffic light sequence. All in all, as a community we have many problematic issues that need sorting. It has always been so!! Some may be more urgent now that in previous years. But that should not detract from all the positives that people living here enjoy and that bring people back on a regular basis to this island. Whlst the other issues are serious, a major concern is that we continue to experience considerable issues with the ferry service that links us to the mainland. These hold back opportunities for emplyment, education, training and leisure for all on the island, but particularly our young people.
yabutey from Bute
went to bute for 3 days and thought it was stunning in terms of scenery. i believe the island as awhole needs to have more of a team effort with a definate agenda to promote the island as a whole instead of small groups moaning about relatively minor issues as read in the buteman weekly.the island has a fantastic opportunity to promote itself in a posative way and embrace so called outsiders which in turn brings prosperity to the island and in so doing encourage furthur investment
penny w from glasgow
i visited Bute frequently for years before selling up and settling here a while ago. it is a fabulous place and most people are amazing - so friendly and genuine. it is such a shame that there is an increase in the 'ned' culture of drink/drugs/vandalism and there seems to be no system of controlling these people who are so intent on slagging off the island and making things impossible for the people who try to make it an attractive place for tourists. if these neds don't like it here, they should go away and spit their gum elswhere, instead of posting pathetic buckie-induced whinges on their bebo pages. the island is a fragile economy with business owners working hard to survive in difficult times, the council seems to have it's head firmly wedged up it's backside and is busy spending a fortune on unnecessary and unwanted 'improvements' which make the island more like the mainland every day, whilst they are oblivious to the huge amount of practically derelict buildings in the town. what we need is common sense from people and for everyone to have a bit of pride in the place that they are lucky enough to live in. if we don't keep bute beautiful, there will be no tourists and then no shops, bars, restaurants or tearooms.
make bute a nedfree area from Rothesay
I was just about to book a short stay in Rothesay as part of a forthcoming holiday in Scotland. I remember Bute from childhood holidays and was looking forward to revisiting such a beautiful place. I'm disappointed to read how the junkies and ned low life are now a prominent feature of the island. Sadly, I'll now not be going to bute anytime soon. soon
C.K. Watt from Kent
I moved from Rothesay when I was 17 and always remembered it as being an amazing place so it saddens me to read everyone's comments about stabbings, junkies and muggings. However, I believe that things like these in a small community can easily be sorted. It's just a case of getting everyone together and taking the issue to the police as a whole. The junkies and neds are easily going to be known by most people. Force the police into taking action. I won't be coming back to Rothesay though, nor will I allow my kids to visit there.
JD from Paisley
I left Rothesay at the age of 20 and visit it most weekends. I'm disgusted by the comments on here, step back from it for a second take a look at the rest of the country and you'll soon see that Bute is still Beautiful and the junkies and neds you all wish to refer to are a drop in the ocean compared to everywhere else. The fact that moaning idiots on this site are putting people off visiting a beautiful place makes me sick.
Pam from Paisley
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