YOU report that Capital Shop-
ping Centres are willing to
transfer the maritime museum
part of their retail develop-
ment at Braehead to the more
adventurous and dramatic pro-
posals up-river at Govan Dry
Docks (April 21.)
You also reported recently
that West Dunbartonshire
Council is close to withdraw-
ing its bid to have Britannia at
Clydebank, and that the direc-
tor of planning has recom-
mended that the council
should back the Clyde Heritage
Trust's proposal to have Bri-
tannia as the centre-piece of a
Clyde Maritime Heritage Park
at Govan Dry Docks.
It appears that, in maritime
heritage terms, good sense is
beginning to prevail. Attention
is at last being focused on the regeneration of the A-listed Victorian Dry Docks complex at Govan in Glasgow.
Alas, instead of taking a lead-
ing role, Glasgow City Council
gives the impression of being
reluctant to declare its official
position. Lord Provost Pat Lally on one hand says that he is keen on the idea of Britannia returning to the Clyde and on the other states that he does not support the Govan maritime heritage initiative.
Where does he think that
Britannia should be sited? His
counterpart in Edinburgh
seems much more positive.
Unfortunately, in addition
those who have done such ster-
ling work in securing and ar-
ranging the restoration of the
fine Clydebuilt sailing ship
Glenlee refuse to show willing-
ness to be a logical part of the
much more comprehensive
Govan proposal.
Is it not possible for everyone
on Clydeside to pull in the
same direction so that we, and
future generations, may enjoy
a maritime heritage centre of
international importance -
one that will be truly worthy of
the Clyde's magnificent mari-
time achievements?
Surely vested interests, ulte-
rior motives, and ego-trips
could be set aside, and this
great opportunity given the
backing it deserves before it is
too late. Time is very short.
David B Price,
Auchenfroe Lodge,
Cardross.
April 21.
THE Greater Govan area has
lost many of its shipbuilding
jobs over the past three de-
cades. It is therefore doubly un-
fortunate that Govan's future
as a centre for shipbuilding
heritage should also now be in
danger (April 21).
If there is a chance that the
Britannia should return to the
Clyde, then it should be to
those communities which have
a record of shipbuilding. The
Braehead shopping complex is
not the most appropriate loca-
tion, and the planning condi-
tions attached by the Secretary
of State must not be allowed to
impede the bid to create a maritime heritage centre around Govan's still derelict dry dock.
Dick Carabine,
On behalf of East Govan,
Govan, Ibrox, Cessnock,
and Kinning Park
CommunityCouncils,
813 Govan Road,
Glasgow.
April 22.
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