James Stewart

Reports on infrastructure, transport and local government, including planning, public services and regional development.

Local Government·Scottish News

Inverurie Service Point to Close as Council Shifts to Digital Services

Residents in Inverurie are being urged to prepare for a significant change in how they access local authority services, as Aberdeenshire Council confirms the permanent closure of its part time Service Point on 2 April, at 5pm. The facility, currently housed within Inverurie Library,

Transport·Scottish News

Traffic Lights Planned to Improve Safety at Historic Clachan Bridge

A traffic management scheme is to be introduced at Clachan Bridge, as officials move to address long standing safety concerns at one of Scotland’s most distinctive crossings. Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed that vehicle activated traffic lights will be installed on the approaches

East Ayrshire Adds QR Codes to Bins to Simplify Community Issue Reporting

New feature builds on success of ‘Report It!’ system, making it easier for residents to flag

Clackmannanshire Council Launches Citizen-Led Transformation to Rethink Public Services

£1 million Transformation Fund to back community-driven solutions on housing, mental health, and economic opportunity Clackmannanshire

Gas Network Upgrade to Bring Temporary Disruption to Forfar Town Centre

A key section of Forfar is set to undergo essential infrastructure work, with a temporary road

Scottish News·Transport

ScotRail Outsources Customer Contact Services to Teleperformance in Three-Year Deal

State-owned rail operator awards contract covering complaints, delay compensation and sales support to global outsourcing firm, with services to be delivered from

by James Stewart

1 May 2026

Scottish News·Transport

A £2 Bus Fare Now Runs Across Much of Northern Scotland. Will it Change Anything?

The cap is already in place. What remains uncertain is its effect. A pilot scheme limiting most single bus fares to £2

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Perth Halves Multi-Storey Parking Charges in Effort to Shift City Centre Traffic

The change has already taken effect, though its impact will take longer to register. Perth and Kinross Council introduced revised parking charges

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Local Government·Scottish News

Perth & Kinross Test the Limits of Street Performance with Consultation on Busking Rules

There is no ban proposed, but there is a question being asked about how far informality can go. Perth and Kinross Council

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Transport·Scottish News

Stirling to Take Control of Trossachs Explorer in Year-Round Pilot

A seasonal visitor route will become a council-run, all-year service under a two-year trial, with funding secured but long-term viability still to

by James Stewart

21 April 2026

Transport·Scottish News

Corran Ferry Fares to Rise from May as Council Presses Ahead with Budget Plan

Crossing costs on a key Highland route will increase from 1 May, with higher charges for cars, commercial vehicles and multi-journey users.

by James Stewart

21 April 2026

Transport·Scottish News

Distance, Cost and Access: Transport Remains Uneven Across Rural Scotland

Longer journeys, fewer services and rising costs continue to shape daily life beyond the central belt, where mobility depends less on networks

by James Stewart

20 April 2026

Local Government·Scottish News

Galston Town Hall Reopens After £3.45 Million Restoration

A prominent Galston landmark has been brought back into public use after a £3.45 million restoration project by East Ayrshire Council, with

by James Stewart

11 April 2026

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Ambulance Service Introduces Search Dogs for Water Rescues in Central Scotland

Specialist dog teams are being deployed to assist in locating missing people near rivers and lochs, with initial operations focused on the

by James Stewart

9 April 2026

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Flood Study Begins on Aboyne Bridge as Options for Repair or Replacement are Examined

Survey work has begun to assess how potential construction options for Aboyne Bridge could affect flooding along the River Dee, as engineers

by James Stewart

7 April 2026

Transport·Scottish News

Night Closures Planned for Tay Road Bridge as Essential Maintenance Begins

There are few pieces of infrastructure in Scotland that carry both the symbolic and practical weight of the Tay crossing. Since its

by James Stewart

5 April 2026

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Island Lifelines Cut: Orkney’s North Isles Battle Prolonged Digital Isolation

In the far reaches of Scotland’s northern archipelagos, where geography has always dictated the terms of daily life, a modern dependency has

by James Stewart

4 April 2026

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Govan’s Regeneration Enters New Phase with £3 Million Heritage Investment

Govan’s long-running regeneration is set to enter a significant new phase following the approval of almost £3 million in heritage funding to

by James Stewart

3 April 2026

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Overnight Campervan Parking Trial Set for Burghead as Moray Council Tests Managed Tourism Approach

A new pilot scheme permitting overnight stays for campervans and motorhomes is now underway in Burghead, as Moray Council seeks to balance

by James Stewart

31 March 2026

Local Government·Scottish News

Council bans indoor storage and charging of e-bikes over fire safety concerns

Shetland Islands Council has banned the indoor storage and charging of electrically powered bikes and scooters across all of its premises, citing

by James Stewart

10 March 2026

Transport·Scottish News

Ferry overhaul delays affect Whalsay and Bluemull routes

Shetland Islands Council has announced further disruption to ferry services serving Whalsay and the Bluemull Sound route after drydock works on one

by James Stewart

3 March 2026

Local Government·Scottish News

Falkirk Council Approves New Gaelic Language Plan

Falkirk Council has signed off its third Gaelic Language Plan, setting out measures to support the language and culture locally over the

by James Stewart

24 August 2025

Local Government·Scottish News

Taxi checks carried out across Aberdeenshire in joint safety operation

ABERDEENSHIRE — Dozens of taxis and private hire cars were stopped and inspected in a joint operation by Aberdeenshire Council Licensing Standards

by James Stewart

18 August 2025

Local Government·Scottish News

East Dunbartonshire Extends Public Consultation on Economic Development Strategy

Council seeks broader input to shape plan for jobs, investment and local resilience EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE — East Dunbartonshire Council has extended its

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

Infrastructure·Scottish News

East Renfrewshire to Resurface 45 Roads and 15 Pavements in £3.5m Upgrade

Major investment to target residential streets across all council wards beginning in April EAST RENFREWSHIRE — A £3.5 million investment will fund

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

Local Government·Scottish News

East Lothian Approves Expansion of Holiday Lodges at Whitekirk Hill

Second phase of development gets green light as part of broader tourism investment near North Berwick EAST LOTHIAN — Plans to expand

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

Infrastructure·Scottish News

Argyll and Bute Emerges as Testbed for Future of Drone Technology

Successful trials open door to permanent drone hub at Oban Airport and expanded rural services Argyll and Bute is positioning itself as

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

Infrastructure·Scottish News

BT Seeks Public Feedback on Plan to Remove 19 Aberdeenshire Phone Boxes

Residents have until April 28 to weigh in on proposed cuts to rural telecommunications infrastructure BT has launched a public consultation on

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

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Independent Journal Established in 2012.

James Stewart

Inverurie Service Point to Close as Council Shifts to Digital Services

Traffic Lights Planned to Improve Safety at Historic Clachan Bridge

East Ayrshire Adds QR Codes to Bins to Simplify Community Issue Reporting

Clackmannanshire Council Launches Citizen-Led Transformation to Rethink Public Services

Gas Network Upgrade to Bring Temporary Disruption to Forfar Town Centre

ScotRail Outsources Customer Contact Services to Teleperformance in Three-Year Deal

A £2 Bus Fare Now Runs Across Much of Northern Scotland. Will it Change Anything?

Perth Halves Multi-Storey Parking Charges in Effort to Shift City Centre Traffic

Perth & Kinross Test the Limits of Street Performance with Consultation on Busking Rules

Stirling to Take Control of Trossachs Explorer in Year-Round Pilot

Corran Ferry Fares to Rise from May as Council Presses Ahead with Budget Plan

Distance, Cost and Access: Transport Remains Uneven Across Rural Scotland

Galston Town Hall Reopens After £3.45 Million Restoration

Ambulance Service Introduces Search Dogs for Water Rescues in Central Scotland

Flood Study Begins on Aboyne Bridge as Options for Repair or Replacement are Examined

Night Closures Planned for Tay Road Bridge as Essential Maintenance Begins

Island Lifelines Cut: Orkney’s North Isles Battle Prolonged Digital Isolation

Govan’s Regeneration Enters New Phase with £3 Million Heritage Investment

Overnight Campervan Parking Trial Set for Burghead as Moray Council Tests Managed Tourism Approach

Council bans indoor storage and charging of e-bikes over fire safety concerns

Ferry overhaul delays affect Whalsay and Bluemull routes

Falkirk Council Approves New Gaelic Language Plan

Taxi checks carried out across Aberdeenshire in joint safety operation

East Dunbartonshire Extends Public Consultation on Economic Development Strategy

East Renfrewshire to Resurface 45 Roads and 15 Pavements in £3.5m Upgrade

East Lothian Approves Expansion of Holiday Lodges at Whitekirk Hill

Argyll and Bute Emerges as Testbed for Future of Drone Technology

BT Seeks Public Feedback on Plan to Remove 19 Aberdeenshire Phone Boxes

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