Newton Mearns: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Newton Mearns is a small suburban town 7 miles southwest of Glasgow, Scotland. When Strathclyde Regional Council was broken up in 1996, Newton Mearns became part of the new East Renfrewshire Council.

Transport

Traffic through the town was reduced significantly when the new M77 motorway extension was opened in the late 1990s - despite opposition from campaigners in the nearly Darnley, Arden and Pollok areas of Glasgow, who saw their communities divided by the new road.

As well as minor and major roads, the town has bus links with the centre of Glasgow and Ayr. A single railway line runs through the town, linking Newton Mearns with Glasgow Central station- from which passengers can switch to trains to other parts of the west of Scotland or to West Coast mainline trains.

One factor that has made the town popular with families is the variety and quality of local schools. The town is served by a total of 4 Primary Schools and 3 High Schools. In common with most towns in Scotland, these are a mixture of Catholic and Protestant (state funded) schools. Due to its affluence the area is also home to several independent schools

Following the breakup of Strathclyde Regional Council in 1996, Newton Mearns became part of the new East Renfrewshire Council area.

On more than one occasion Glasgow City Coucil applied to the Boundaries Commission to have Newton Mearns re-allocated to its control (primarily for the lucrative council tax revenues that would result) however these attempts proved unsuccessful.

Councillors

Newton Mearns is divided up into four council wards for representation on East Renfrewshire Council- currently all of these are held by the Conservative Party.

• Broom: Cllr Barbara Grant
• Crookfur: Cllr Leslie Rosin
• Greenfarm: Cllr Charlie Gilbert JP
• Mearns: Cllr Ian S. Hutchison OBE JP