CLACKMANNAN residents are calling for improved bus links and a better offering of community activities, according to a recent outreach consultation.

People in the town are also looking for a better shopping experience, organisers of the event were told at the weekend.

The topics were among a range of issues of importance highlighted as residents were invited to help inform the plans of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) over the next 10 years.

The trust, working with the local authority as well as Clackmannan Community Council and Community Development Trust, heard residents' views on the town's future during an event on Saturday, January 21.

Setting up at Clackmannan Scout and Guide Hall, CRT has been sharing responses so far from community consultations, looking to inform the forthcoming Local Place Plan for the area, including Kennet and Forestmill.

The Local Place Plan will be a refreshed version of the previous Community Action Plan, which expired in 2020.

The plan is serving as am “opportunity for the community themselves to have a voice in the Local Development Plan that the local authority creates”, explained Enid Trevett, community engagement officer at CRT.

“It has a spacial element to it now, we are doing mapping as well as talking to people about what's important to them.”

Responses so far were shared during the event, with people given the chance to make their own priorities and add their own comments.

CRT has also been running a three wishes campaign to hear people's top three hopes for the areas they live in with both streams of work helping to gather information to support plans.

Enid said: “Saturday was all about capturing the stories people have to share, allowing people to see what others have said and vote on what's important for them.

“Some of the things that come out of that are: people want more activities for people of all ages, things to do locally.

“Improving the local shopping experience, that's another thing that's important to people and cleaner environment, people want to see things looking nicer, tidier.

“Also, improving the bus service – that was another thing that's quite high up on the agenda.

“And there's talk about whether the one-way system is working as well, is it good, whether that needs to be revisited.”

There was plenty of fun to be had on the day as well with free entertainment, face painting, arts and crafts and tasty treats.

Enid thanked all who came out and supported the event.

She added: “There were lots of conversations, lots of buzz going on, we had a good mix of adults and kids.”