Dumfries and Galloway MP Richard Arkless has written to Dan Sten Olsson, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Stena, to request a meeting with him in Westminster to discuss redevelopment of the Waterfront in Stranraer and the current disrepair of the East Pier.
In his letter Mr Arkless thanked Stena for remaining the biggest employer in the area – but went on to describe how the ongoing disrepair of the East Pier was creating a ‘swell of negative feeling’ in the town towards Stena and affecting the mood of the local people.
Commenting, Mr Arkless said:
‘Whilst I thank Stena for the continued employment they provide in the area, the East Pier in Stranraer has been left in a state of extreme disrepair which is simply not good enough. It would not take much effort from Stena to tidy up the site before work begins on the redevelop of the waterfront.
‘I want Stranraer to be the very best it can possibly be and this pier has become a real eyesore which is beginning to bring local people down.
‘Having a decaying relic on our waterfront not good for Stranraer – I urge Mr Olsson to look at what Stena have left behind – a decaying pier should not be Stena’s legacy after they have brought so many positives to the area over generations.
‘I hope that Mr Olsson will be able to meet with me soon – I’m actively pushing to make sure this meeting happens. There are many matters that I would like to discuss with him and I’m sure that a face to face meeting would be mutually beneficial.
‘The recent efforts of the local council to tidy up the land near the pier are very welcome but ultimately Stena must take responsibility and tidy up the site as a matter of urgency.’
