Catherine Hunter, Reporter
Windfarm workers in the Barrhill area are being blamed for causing
disruption with poor driving standards resulting in overturned vehicles.
The issue has been prominent for some time and was discussed at a recent
public meeting. It has become clear to villagers that it is not just the
workers that are a problem but other drivers passing by.
Chairman Dave Russell, of the Barrhill Community Council was minuted
putting forward concerns over poor driving standards particularly, but not
exclusively, by windfarm workers.
He claimed to witnesses recent occurrences of overturned vehicles belonging
to the latter.
Girvan and South Carrick Community policing team member Kevin McKeown
informed members of the council that these events had not been communicated
to the Police.
Treasurer Alister Scott reported a vehicle demolishing his fence, whose
identity was now known and enquired what action could be taken.
It was confirmed that this too should be reported to police, as property
had been damaged. A member of the public reported watching a lorry
demolishing sections of the stone dyke on the Station Road while attempting
to turn, with apparent total disregard. This was in connection with the
recent cabling works.
Community Councillor Johnnie Thomson was of the opinion that there were now
fewer incidents of bad driving to and from the windfarm as work had entered
a different phase.
It had been hoped that in January traffic control members could have been
deployed in Barrhill, which has been submitted as a request to the local
police.
But it had not been feasible to implement an action plan at that time due
as crime prevention had been deemed a higher priority due to a spate of
dishonesties in Girvan.
Staff had to be directed elsewhere due to increased demands in relation to
potential disorder due to the festive period.
Local officers had been advised to concentrate on the national drink
driving campaign with an extra 600 breath tests carried out over the
Christmas and New Year period.
As a result there had not been any dedicated patrols in Barrhill since
November. It is hoped once regular patrols are up and running the issue can
be resolved.
It had not been made clear which of the three main windfarms and their
employees in the area had been accused of causing disruption and chaos as
we went to press.
This meant they were unavailable for comment.
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