MP Jo Swinson says East Dunbartonshire Council must listen to people

Her comments follow a meeting which she chaired last Friday evening, organised by Bearsden North Community Council.

More than 160 people attended including the leader of the Scottish LibDems, Willie Rennie MSP, who happened to be in the constituency at the time.

Councillors Vaughan Moody, Ashay Ghai, Keith Small and Duncan Cumming were also there but Eric Gotts was unable to attend.

Ms Swinson said: “This was a fantastic turnout and shows how right the community council was to arrange the meeting.

“There was a wide ranging discussion and points were heard on all aspects of the issue from impact on the town centre to transport, sports facilities to future investment.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the responses from this informal process show when they are all collated. It is important that the council reflects on what people say before looking at potential next steps.”

Adele Crothall of Save Bearsden Primary School campaign said: “There is no evidence being put forward by the council which shows there is any benefit to our children or the community by moving us out of the heart of Bearsden.

“This whole process is not only flawed but very divisive - pitting school against school.

“Bearsden Primary parents will continue to fight to save our school as we believe the best option for our children is to stay on our current site and refurbish our building, an option which is not being looked at.

“I would like to further reiterate that our campaign does not mean any other school is less important because of this.

“Every school involved in the Bearsden package, Castlehill, Westerton, Colquhoun Park and Bearsden, are serving their community and local needs extremely well. We hope the council will listen and hear the views of parents, pupils, staff and the community as a whole.”