Councillors approved amendments to the Management Rules for Stirling Bus Station to incorporate a total prohibition of smoking at the Station - inside and out - at a meeting of the Full Council (Thursday 10 December).
Management Rules for the Bus Station cover the entire station – interior and exterior – and additionally prohibit many forms of anti-social behaviour. Council employees working at the Bus Station are also empowered to expel/exclude persons who breach or are about to breach the Management Rules.
The existing Rules came into effect on 22 December 2009 and expired on 21 December 2019. These were extended for 6 months at the meeting of Stirling Council on 5 December 2019, to allow for a period of review.
That review was delayed by Covid-19.
You can read the full set of rules here.
The principle change to the rules from 2021 onwards covers the prohibition of smoking at the station.
Welcoming environment
Cllr Jim Thomson, Convener of the Environment & Housing Committee at Stirling Council, said: “I’m sure residents and visitors using the station will find it a much more welcoming environment for travel with this change.
“Shared spaces such as shelters and walkways should be safe, healthy spaces, and stubbing out smoking will bring improved air quality and reduce littering caused by discarded cigarettes.
“It was a logical step to update the rules and make the station a safer environment for all.”
Decision makes sense
Vice Convener, Cllr Danny Gibson, added: “The bus station is one of the first things people will see when they visit Stirling, and it’s also a vital transport hub for residents who work or need to travel outwith Stirling City centre.
“It makes sense to do what we can to ensure the Bus Station is as safe, healthy and welcoming an environment as possible.”
The Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 as supplemented by the Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006 prohibits smoking in premises including airport passenger terminals and any other public transportation facilities which are wholly or substantially enclosed.
In Stirling Bus Station, the only locations required to prohibit smoking under legislation are the wholly enclosed areas contained within the buildings.
However, Section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982* gives the Council powers to make Management Rules to regulate the use of, and the conduct of persons while on or in, any land or premises which the Council owns, occupies or manages and to which the public have access.
The no-smoking policy will cover areas not just within the buildings but the areas covered by the bus shelter canopies and the forecourt.
- *Under section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 the Management Rules must be available to view by the public for at least one month before they come into effect and allow any person the opportunity to notify their objection in writing to the Council. Notice was given to the public on 16 October 2020 of the Council’s intention to modify the Rules in addition to informing key stakeholders. No objections were received in response to this notice.
