Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has written to Perth and Kinross Council to raise concerns over the distance residents of Bertha Park are required to travel to vote in elections.
Mr Swinney’s intervention comes following last month’s Scottish Parliament elections and in advance of the 2022 council elections. The designated polling station for residents of Bertha Park is currently Luncarty Memorial Hall – over four miles away.
Commenting, Mr Swinney said:
“Whilst the last Scottish Parliamentary elections saw a record number of voters cast their ballot by post, the majority of the electorate still chose to vote in person.
“To that end, it is vital that all voters have convenient access to a local polling station, and that no undue barriers to voting are put in place.
“Indeed, to travel from Bertha Park to Luncarty without a car involves taking two buses for a journey time of approximately 40 minutes. This is clearly not acceptable, particularly with the rapidly-growing population of Bertha Park.
“Whilst I note that Perth and Kinross Council have indicated that a polling station revision may be required, I believe that residents of Bertha Park should receive certainty of this well in advance of next year’s council elections. To that end, I have written to the council to press for a decision to be taken on this matter as quickly as possible.”
