PLANS to give Lockerbie’s gateway roundabouts a curling theme are being resurrected.
The idea first emerged in 2015 and came to light again in 2019 when a poll found most residents preferred the idea of a curling design for the roundabouts, rather than squirrels or sheep.
However, nothing ever came of that plan and the roundabouts remained untouched.
Complaints about the shabby state of the one near the Queen’s Hotel have escalated in the last year and it’s become a frequent issue of concern for Lockerbie Community Council.
Dumfries and Galloway Council have earmarked funding for low maintenance improvements to tidy up the area.
But further developments were reported at the community council’s monthly meeting last week, with Annandale North Cllr Carolyne Wilson revealing Lockerbie Civic Pride are hoping to take it on as a
project, and potentially roll it out to the roundabout near the ice rink in the future as well.
She said: “Lockerbie Civic Pride approached me and are proposing a curling stone made out of a concrete mould with lighting and figures around it.
“They have got plans drawn up – but it will depend on the height and visibility.”
Elaborating further, Roger Claymore, founder of the civic pride, said: “We were getting it in the neck do something about the roundabout, so we asked an architect to draw up something.
“We were talking that we would like something to do with curling, given the Olympians locally, and we were approached by Grange Quarry who have got a mould that we could fill full of concrete and we looked at figures on the side, which Alan Thompson is prepared to make, in same material as the Angel of North. We thought it would be nice to illuminate them at night.”
Community councillor Ian McLatchie said: “We talked about this many, many years ago but Dumfries and Galloway Council said no.”
Responding, Mr Claymore added: “We realise for the council there are certain things we would have to do, like protective barriers around it and chevrons guiding traffic round.
“Anything is better than what’s there now.”
Cllr Wilson has spoken to officials and outlined what needs to happen next, saying: “You would need to get feedback from the community to show it has been properly discussed, then go back with a proper, detailed plan including traffic management.
“It needs to get agreed by the council so go with as much detail as possible to the roads department and see if you can get permissions for one.
“Even if this does not go ahead, the roundabouts will get done whatever.”
The community council expressed their unanimous support for the scheme and will get updates as it progresses.
