Inaccessible hospitals and limited bus routes are a big problem for Biggar according to a new report.

Two consultations by Biggar Community Council have published their findings, one looked at Health and Social Care and the other Public Transport, the council was given plenty of food for thought from locals.

The Health and Social Care survey was led by Lesley Craise who has told us: "The difficulty in being able to reach hospitals out of the local area was raised by many respondents.

"Social care was felt to be difficult to access, and was inflexible, with carers working to very tight timescales. It was noted that a number of social care facilities in Biggar have closed in recent years, and the lack of day care provision was a particular concern.

"The Community Council will be working with the Biggar Wee Oasis group to see whether the Bield building could be used by the community to improve this situation"

Janet Moxley headed the consultation on Public Transport in the community. She says she wasn't surprised by some of the results: "The loss of the late evening service on the Stagecoach 101/2 Edinburgh to Dumfries bus service was a major concern. A number of respondents expressed concerns about the comfort and reliability of vehicles used on this route.

"Overall public transport links around Biggar were not thought to be good, with several gaps in the network, and a particular problem with the timing of bus-train connections in Lanark. 

"On a more positive note, many passengers appreciated friendly and helpful bus drivers."
There were also calls for better train services, especially southbound from Clydesdale and a demand for Symington Station to be re-opened.

However, Ms Moxley noted that concerns over other forms of transport also became apparent: "With regard to active travel, there were concerns about the state of pavements, which are sometimes obstructed and hopes that an off-road cycle route could be developed between Biggar and Symington."

A spokesperson for the council said: "We knew that these issues were important to people in the town, and we were delighted with the response that we have had to these consultations."

After a consultation event in Gillespie and an online survey during the summer, the results are set to be passed on to local MPs, other members of the council and various organisations to help develop an action plan for the town.

Both reports can be accessed on the Biggar Community Website www.biggarcc.weebly.com/news/