Local MSP Gil Paterson says that he is pleased to be hosting the Google Digital Garage Bus during its visit to Clydebank.
 
Google’s bus tour is part of its Digital Garage initiative, which provides free digital skills training to people across the UK so they have the knowledge they need in order to grow in their confidence, career or business. It also follows a successful launch of a high street training hub in the centre of Edinburgh and a presence in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.
 
Google’s converted double decker Digital Garage bus will be in Clydebank Shopping Centre on Friday 26th October from 10am until 4pm and Mr. Paterson is encouraging Bankies of all ages to go along and get free expert advice.
 
The day will be split into three themed sessions and an Eventbrite listing has been set up so that people can register for each event but Mr Paterson is very keen to stress that anyone can drop-in at any time during the day.
 
The sessions planned for the event are ‘Stay Safe Online’ from 10am -11:30am; ‘First Steps Online’ 12noon – 2pm and ‘Build a CV’ 3pm – 4pm.
 
Speaking to the Clydebank Post, Mr Paterson said:
 
“I’m excited to be partnering up with The Google Digital Garage bus tour. The Google Digital Garage is a place where anyone can come and learn how to harness the power of the internet to grow their business, just learn more about the internet or develop new vocational skills.
 
“I think it is a great idea and I would urge anyone who is free on Friday the 26th October and would like to take advantage of free face-to-face coaching from Google internet experts to pop down to the shopping centre. If you want to learn new skills or even just increase your confidence, then this is for you.”
 
The Google Digital Garage bus tour was launched in 2017 and has visited over 100 locations across the UK so far. The bus will travel to over 50 locations in the Glasgow region offering free courses on a wide range of topics from how to build a CV to social media strategy.
 
You can register for any of the session at the EventBrite listings;
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/google-digital-garage-bus-stay-safe-online-tickets-51336387517
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/google-garage-bus-first-steps-online-tickets-51336755618
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/google-garage-bus-build-a-cv-tickets-51336860933
 
Google Garage Bus Tour: Clydebank, 3 Queens Square, Clydebank Shopping Centre 10am to 4pm on Friday 26th October

 

​Following a recent meeting with Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, where concerns were raised over the performance of the Milngavie Rail line, local SNP MSPs Gil Paterson and Rona Mackay have received written details of the actions being taken to improve performance on the line.
 
In his letter to Mr Paterson, the Transport Secretary highlighted steps which have already been taken as well as those planned for implementation over the coming months.
 
Actions already in place include prompt departure times for the Argyle line services, which is already delivering improvements; driver changes at Hyndland station were identified as causing delays which have been eliminated, information has been gathered on time lost daily at the Wishaw turn back and speed restrictions between Bargeddie and Mount Vernon are being reviewed. Skip stopping, except as a last resort, has been suspended.
 
An Infrastructure scheme at Westerton which allows a 6-car train to be accommodated on the Glasgow platform without blocking the route to Milngavie will be delivered Mid November.
 
Plans are in review to run an express service from Glasgow to Milngavie during peak times and also on selected trains from Balloch and from Helensburgh central.
 
Measures to improve management of drivers at Milngavie are planned for December this year which, in conjunction with an additional engine unit being introduced into the circuit, will re-instate 20-minute turnaround times ensuring greater punctuality.
 
Discussions are also taking place with train drivers’ unions to find ways of reducing the berthing times for trains arriving at Milngavie Station.
 
Speaking to the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald, Mr Paterson said:
“Obviously ScotRail are taking this matter seriously and are making changes and putting in investment. Let’s hope it has the desired effect”
 

Local MSP Gil Paterson has asked Scotland’s First Minister to demand action from the UK Tory Government after important clinical trials of a new heart drug at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank were stopped.
 
Trials were due to take place on patients in the Golden Jubilee Hospital of a drug called Dutopgliptin, a drug intended to be used in conjunction with other medicines to help repair damaged heart tissue. However, California-based drug research company, Recardio, pulled the plug on the UK trials citing uncertainty due to the UK’s exit from the EU and what it called “completely unresolved” issues around the European Medicines Agency which it says represent “a significant risk” to its business.
 
During First Minister’s Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh last week, Mr Paterson raised the issue of the work undertaken at the Golden Jubilee is of national, if not global significance and he urged Nicola Sturgeon to raise the issue with the UK Government and demand action to allow the ground-breaking research to go ahead at the Clydebank hospital.
 
He also raised concerns that the situation should not reflect on the fantastic reputation for on-going world-leading research earned by the Golden Jubilee Hospital.
 
Speaking to the Clydebank Post, Mr Paterson said:
 
“We are now beginning to see the real impact of the Tory Brexit fiasco.
 
“Heart disease is a major problem in Clydebank and the west of Scotland, thousands of local people as well as those from further afield have already benefitted from the research carried out at the Golden Jubilee, this world –leading heart hospital has saved the lives of thousands of my constituents but this drug has the potential to do even more. This ground-breaking treatment may be able to help the heart repair itself and may have the capacity to be life-changing for many in our constituency and the world over.
 
“It is high time Theresa May stopped her political song and dance routine and faced up to reality, we need a Brexit deal that allows innovative research like this to continue unhampered. We need the Tories to stop their bickering and commit to the Single Market and membership of the Customs Union, that’s the only feasible option to limit the damage of this Tory madness and safeguard our healthcare. Scotland did not vote for Brexit and it’s now starting to have a disastrous effect on our people.