Lesmahagow residents hit out at Patersons road plan

At present traffic from Dunduff Quarry goes through Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood, past three primary schools before moving onto the M74.

However, a planned extension to the quarry, which will be

submitted to the council by Patersons of Greenoakhill in July, would see lorries go through Lesmahagow affecting those living in the Clannochdyke Estate and Strathaven Road.

Alan Cardwell, a Strathaven Road resident, said: "Patersons would have 18 lorries going past our homes every hour but that doesn't take into account sub-contractors using the road.

"As it stands Kirkmuirhill has a much stronger case of diverting the traffic because the current route goes past the primary schools.

"However, we have identified six routes which lorries could take to avoid going past one home, preserving both communities.

"I think we should work together to make sure the lorries don't go past any one of our homes."

Patersons Estates Director Kemp Lindsay stated that a traffic management plan would be part of the planning application.

He said: "This route is the only possible option. Currently 85 per cent of traffic from the quarry goes past three primary schools and for the past five years we have been trying to find a solution."

For more information on this story pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now, priced just 48p.