Don't let Cumbernauld down on architect tour

Last week we reported that a tour of the town had been arranged for experts across the globe as part of the annual conference of the Society of Architectural Historians

As this is the first time the event has been held out of North America for 40 years, it will be for many delegates the one and only time they will get to see Cumbernauld.

And already a number of prominent local figures have expressed fears about the lasting impression they could be left with when the day dawns in July.

Billy Lees of Cumbernauld Community Forum said: “My main worry would be the town centre.’’

Adam Smith of Cumbernauld Environmental Forum believes that the visit is a mixed blessing.

He said: ‘‘It’s fantastic that architects from across the world will shortly be visiting Cumbernauld. It is, however, disappointing that some parts of the new town have been badly neglected and require extensive investment.”

For more on this story see this week’s edition.