Polls

Have your say on matters relating to your village! Do you have a topic that you would like to see included here? E-mail the webmaster with your suggestions.

Current Poll(s)

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Previous Polls

There have been various polls in the past on the following issues:

• General Election? Following the expenses row for MPs, should a General Election be called?
• Team GB or Team Scotland? In future Olympic games, would you rather we competed as part of the British team, or on our own as a Scottish team?
• Rename upper Inverkip? Should upper Inverkip be renamed?
• Traffic calming required? Do you feel that traffic calming measures are required at the Inverkip Road/Main Street junction?
• Purchase age of alcohol Should the purchase age for alcohol be raised from 18 to 21 years of age?
• Inverkip Power Station - landmark or eyesore? Inverkip Power Station Chimney - landmark or eyesore?
• Independence for Scotland? Would you like to see an independent Scotland?
• More flats? Do you object to more flats being built on Wemyss Bay Road?
• Christmas Lights Do you like to see extravagant Christmas lights' displays on houses at Christmas time?
• Gala Weekend 2006 How good was the Wemyss Bay Gala Weekend on a scale of 1-5?
• National Anthem Following Scotland's success at the Commonwealth Games, there has been a lot of discussion on what the national anthem should be. What do you think?
• Speed Bumps Would you like to see the removal of speed bumps throughout Scotland?
• Raise smoking age? Should the age for buying cigarettes be raised to 18?
• World Cup 2006 The 2006 World Cup will soon be upon us. Who do you think will win?
• Windfarm in Inverkip Would you like to see a Windfarm built in Inverkip?
• Dog fouling Is dog fouling a problem in Wemyss Bay?
• Youth facilities Are you happy with the amount of facilities and activities available for young people in Wemyss Bay?
• Celebrate Britishness? Do you agree with Gordon Brown that Britain should have a day to celebrate its national identity?
• Conditions of roads and pavements Are you happy with the conditions of roads and pavements in Wemyss Bay?
• Speed camera Would you be in favour of a speed camera at the train station?
• Skateboarding park Would you like to see a skateboarding park in Wemyss Bay?
• Ferry terminal car parking Are CalMac right to remove car parking from the ferry terminal?
• Successful Olympics (2004)? How many gold medals would constitute a successful Olympics for the GB&NI team? (At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, we won 11 golds, our best total for 80 years.)
• European Election Will you be voting / did you vote in the June European Parliamentary Election?
• How do you say it? How do you pronounce Wemyss?
• Poop bins - Are there enough poop bins in Wemyss Bay?
• War on Iraq - Do you support military action against Iraq?
• Neds in Wemyss Bay - Are there too many neds in Wemyss Bay?
• Broadband access in Wemyss Bay - Would you like BT to provide broadband internet access in Wemyss Bay?
• Car park extension - Should the car park at the Ardgowan Road shops be extended?
• A fence round the school - Do you welcome the decision to put a fence round the school?
• 20's Plenty - do you agree with the 20's Plenty signs on Lomond Road?
• The Future of the Power Station - what should be done with the power station site?
• Web site visitors - do you live in Wemyss Bay?
• Dual carriageway extension - would you like to see a dual carriageway that stretched all the way from Greenock to Wemyss Bay?
• Housing in Wemyss Bay - have they built enough?
• Guy Fawkes night - should it be brought back?
• The Power Station - what should be done with the site?

General Election?

The question was: Following the expenses row for MPs, should a General Election be called?

22 (61%) - Yes
14 (39%) - No

Slightly more people were in favour of having a general election sooner rather than later. As it is, we'll be getting the election soon and the electorate will be able to make their voice known through the ballot box.

Team GB or Team Scotland?

The question was: In future Olympic games, would you rather we competed as part of the British team, or on our own as a Scottish team?

15 (52%) - Team GB
12 (41%) - Team Scotland
2 (7%) - Not bothered either way

A mixed response, with a slight majority in favour of keeping Scotland as part of Team GB.

Rename upper Inverkip?

The question was: Should upper Inverkip be renamed?

8 (32%) - Yes
2 (8%) - Don't know
15 (60%) - No

Upper Inverkip should not be renamed - the people have spoken! This poll was closed on the 28th May 2009.

Traffic calming required?

The question was: Do you feel that traffic calming measures are required at the Inverkip Road/Main Street junction?

6 (26%) - Yes - traffic lights
6 (26%) - Yes - roundabout
1 (4%) - Yes - speed cameras
0 (0%) - Yes - reduced speed limit
0 (0%) - Yes - other
0 (0%) - Don't know
10 (43%) - No

A slight majority are in favour of some form of traffic calming measures, with traffic lights and a roundabout the favoured options. This poll was closed on the 28th May 2009.

Purchase age of alcohol

The question was: Should the purchase age for alcohol be raised from 18 to 21 years of age?

51 (54%) - Yes
44 (46%) - No

Alcohol problems cost Scotland an estimated £2.25 billion per year in NHS, social work, police, emergency services, and the wider economic and human costs. Alcohol misuse not only affects the health and wellbeing of the individual drinker, but also has a major impact on family relationships, communities and society as a whole. This poll was closed on the 28th May 2009.

Inverkip Power Station - landmark or eyesore?

The question was: Inverkip Power Station Chimney - landmark or eyesore?

22 (51%) - Landmark
21 (49%) - Eyesore

This poll was very close and opinion is clearly divided on whether the Power Station Chimney is a landmark or an eyesore, but what will happen to it in the future? This poll was closed on 25/11/2008.

Independence for Scotland?

The question was: Would you like to see an independent Scotland?

84 (56%) - Yes
66 (44%) - No

After 150 votes, this poll was closed with 56% in favour of independence and 44% against. Will we see independence soon with the SNP in government? This poll was closed on the 21st June 2008.

More flats?

The question was: Do you object to more flats being built on Wemyss Bay Road?

27 (63%) - Yes
16 (37%) - No

A clear majority would not like to see more flats being built on Wemyss Bay Road.

Christmas Lights

The question was: Do you like to see extravagant Christmas lights' displays on houses at Christmas time?

25 (61%) - Yes
12 (29%) - No
4 (10%) - Not bothered

This poll was quite close for a while but those who like to see extravagant Christmas lights' displays on houses at Christmas time eventually pulled ahead. This poll was closed on the 13th February 2007.

Gala Weekend 2006

The question was: How good was the Wemyss Bay Gala Weekend on a scale of 1-5?

10 (33%) - 5 (brilliant)
2 (7%) - 4 (good)
8 (27%) - 3 (okay)
2 (7%) - 2 (not good)
8 (27%) - 1 (terrible)

Good to see that most votes went to 5 (Brilliant) although all of the options received some votes. Not sure if I believe those who voted for 1 (Terrible) though! This poll was closed on the 14th November 2006.

National Anthem

The question was: Following Scotland's success at the Commonwealth Games, there has been a lot of discussion on what the national anthem should be. What do you think?

26 (65%) - Flower of Scotland
2 (5%) - Scotland the Brave
2 (5%) - Auld Lang Syne
2 (5%) - Loch Lomond
5 (12%) - Caledonia
3 (8%) - Something else

It seems the current national anthem of Flower of Scotland is still the preferred option for 65% of those who voted. The most popular alternative was Caledonia but it was a long way behind in the voting. This poll was closed on the 14th November 2006.

Speed Bumps

The question was: Would you like to see the removal of speed bumps throughout Scotland?

50 (49%) - Yes
50 (49%) - No
3 (3%) - Don't know

This poll was close all throughout the time it was open, so it is only appropriate to close it with the votes evenly split between Yes and No. Opinion is clearly divided on whether speed bumps should be kept or removed. This poll was closed on the 14th November 2006.

Raise smoking age?

The question was: Should the age for buying cigarettes be raised to 18?

71 (87%) - Yes
10 (12%) - No
1 (1%) - Don't know

The results are clear, a massive 87% would like to see the smoking age raised to 18! Politicians are you listening? This poll was closed on the 14th November 2006.

World Cup 2006

The question was: The 2006 World Cup will soon be upon us. Who do you think will win?

12 (52%) - Brazil
2 (9%) - Germany
2 (9%) - England
2 (9%) - Argentina
2 (9%) - Trinidad and Tobago!
1 (4%) - Spain
1 (4%) - Netherlands
1 (4%) - Someone else
0 (0%) - France
0 (0%) - Italy

Brazil look to be the big favourites, but will they live up their billing? This poll was closed on the 23rd June 2006.

(Note added after the World Cup)
It just goes to show how much we all know! The two countries who got ZERO votes were the two teams who reached the final, with Italy winning on penalties.

Windfarm in Inverkip

The question was: Would you like to see a Windfarm built in Inverkip?

41 (53%) - Yes
3 (4%) - Possibly, I have reservations
0 (0%) - Undecided
7 (9%) - Don't care - I'm not really bothered either way
10 (13%) - Don't know enough about it
16 (21%) - No

Quite a mixed reaction to this controversial question. Over 50% are in favour but quite a few are undecided over it. This poll was closed on the 23rd June 2006.

Dog fouling

The question was: Is dog fouling a problem in Wemyss Bay?

40 (77%) - Yes definitely!
4 (8%) - Yes but it's not that bad
2 (4%) - Not really, it could be worse
6 (12%) - No

77% think that dog fouling is a problem. What can be done about it? This poll was closed on the 23rd June 2006.

Youth facilities

The question was: Are you happy with the amount of facilities and activities available for young people in Wemyss Bay?

6 (11%) - Yes there is plenty to do
1 (2%) - Yes, but only just
11 (21%) - Not sure, more is probably needed
35 (66%) - Definitely not

Two thirds of voters think there is not enough for young people to do. Do you agree? Use the forum to give your views. This poll was closed on the 23rd June 2006.

Celebrate Britishness?

The question was: Do you agree with Gordon Brown that Britain should have a day to celebrate its national identity?

9 (12%) - Yes
0 (0%) - Maybe...it could be a good idea.
2 (3%) - Who cares?
1 (1%) - Why? We have enough holidays.
56 (76%) - No I'm Scottish
0 (0%) - No I'm Welsh
1 (1%) - No I'm English
2 (3%) - No I'm Irish
1 (1%) - Just no!
2 (3%) - What is Britishness?

Only 12% were in favour of a day to celebrate 'Britishness', while over 75% said no because they are Scottish. It seems Gordon Brown is out of touch with the people in his own country. This poll was closed on the 31st March 2006.

Conditions of roads and pavements

The question was: Are you happy with the conditions of roads and pavements in Wemyss Bay?

6 (22%) - Yes
14 (52%) - Mostly but not all
7 (26%) - No

This poll did not attract too many votes, but from those who did vote, it seems they are mostly happy but more could be done to ensure the quality of our pavements and roads. This poll was closed on the 31st March 2006.

Speed camera

The question was: Would you be in favour of a speed camera at the train station?

22 (63%) - Yes
12 (34%) - No
1 (3%) - Not sure

Almost two thirds of those who voted are in favour of a speed camera at the train station. Does this mean people do not mind speed cameras as much as is made out? This poll was closed on the 31st March 2006.

Skateboarding park

The question was: Would you like to see a skateboarding park in Wemyss Bay?

26 (81%) - Yes
5 (16%) - No
1 (3%) - Undecided

4 out of every 5 people would like to see a skateboarding park in Wemyss Bay. Now it just needs people to make it happen. This poll was closed on the 31st March 2006.

Ferry terminal car parking

The question was: Are CalMac right to remove car parking from the ferry terminal?

143 (76%) - Yes
41 (22%) - No
4 (2%) - Don't know

It seems that a large percentage of people, perhaps surprisingly, are in favour of Calmac's decision to remove car parking from the ferry terminal.

Successful Olympics (2004)?

The question was: How many gold medals would constitute a successful Olympics for the GB&NI team? (At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, we won 11 golds, our best total for 80 years.)

3 (17%) - 1!
1 (6%) - 2-5
3 (17%) - 6-10
4 (22%) - 11-15
3 (17%) - 16-20
2 (11%) - More than 20
2 (11%) - Who cares! I don't watch sport.

Great Britain won 9 medals, two less than in Sydney four years earlier, but still a good achievement.

European Election

The question was: Will you be voting / did you vote in the June European Parliamentary Election? 19 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 11th August, 2004.

11 votes (58%) - Yes
8 votes (42%) - No

This poll reflected the general apathy there was to this election, where there was a disappointing turnout in Scotland of only 30.9%.

How do you say it?

The question was: How do you pronounce Wemyss? 224 votes were cast (making it the most popular poll so far) and the poll was closed on the 27th May, 2004.

47 votes (21%) - "Wims"
177 votes (79%) - "Weems"

"Weems" was the clear winner in this poll. Now you know!

Poop bins

The question was: Are there enough poop bins in Wemyss Bay? 79 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 27th May, 2004.

16 votes (20%) - Yes.
63 votes (80%) - No.

The poll indicates that there are not enough poop bins in the village. Contact your local politician to ask for more.

War on Iraq

The question was: Do you support military action against Iraq? 106 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 25th November, 2003.

64 votes (60%) - Yes.
42 votes (40%) - No.

Over the course of the time the poll was up, support for the military action declined as time went by.

Neds in Wemyss Bay

The question was: Are there too many neds in Wemyss Bay? 56 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 25th November, 2003.

43 votes (77%) - Yes.
13 votes (23%) - No.

It seems that people think there are too many neds in Wemyss Bay. Seriously however, what can be done to stop the problem of teenage troublemaking?

Broadband access in Wemyss Bay

The question was: Would you like BT to provide broadband internet access in Wemyss Bay? 45 votes were cast and the poll was closed on 27th March, 2003.

42 votes (93%) - Yes.
3 votes (7%) - No.

Not surprisingly, over 90% of those who voted would like to see broadband access provided to the people of Wemyss Bay.

Car park extension

The question was: Should the car park at the Ardgowan Road shops be extended? 73 votes were cast and the poll was closed on 27th March, 2003.

57 votes (78%) - Yes.
16 votes (22%) - No.

Most people would like to see the car park extended. Whether it is likely to happen however is another matter. Perhaps more of us should just park at the community centre when it is busy and walk over!

A fence round the school

The question was: Do you welcome the decision to put a fence round the school? 77 votes were cast and the poll was closed on 27th March, 2003.

57 votes (74%) - Yes.
20 votes (26%) - No.

A large majority are in favour of the fence round the school, despite the fact it is quite ugly.

20's Plenty

The question was: Do you agree with the 20's Plenty signs on Lomond Road? 47 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 15th January, 2003.

40 votes (85%) - Yes.
7 votes (15%) - No.

A clear majority are in favour of the 20's Plenty signs on Lomond Road. Perhaps the question should have been, do you stick to them?

The Future of the Power Station

The question was: What should be done with the power station site? 63 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 10th July, 2002.

50 votes (79%) - Mixed development including retail, leisure facilities and housing.
13 votes (21%) - Keep it as it is.

These are the only two real options for the power station site, and a clear majority would like to see development there rather than just leaving the power station as it is.

Web site visitors - where do you live?

The question was: Do you live in Wemyss Bay? 71 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 10th July, 2002.

52 votes (73%) - Yes
9 votes (13%) - No, but I used to
9 votes (13%) - No, I never have
1 vote (1%) - No, but I would like to

As expected most visitors to the site live in the village. Only 1 person who voted on this poll however would like to live here! That can't be right surely?

Dual carriageway extension

The question was: Would you like to see a dual carriageway that stretched all the way from Greenock to Wemyss Bay? 64 votes were cast and the poll was closed on the 10th July, 2002.

46 votes (72%) - Yes
12 votes (19%) - No
6 votes (9%) - Don't care

A clear majority would like to see the dual carriageway extended and with continuing development in Inverkip and Wemyss Bay it would seem logical. Is it likely to happen anytime soon? Probably not, but why not write to your MP or MSP and press for action?

Housing

The question was: Do you think Wemyss Bay has enough houses and that the building should stop, or should the building continue? 105 votes were cast.

89 votes (84.8%) - Stop the building
16 votes (15.2%) - Continue the building

It is clear that the majority of people would like to see the building stop. Unfortunately this does not seem likely as the development of Wemyss Bay continues, especially with the more rural areas of Inverclyde such as Wemyss Bay and Inverkip increasing in population while areas such as Port Glasgow and Greenock are decreasing.

Guy Fawkes night

The question was: Would you like to see bonfire night brought back to Wemyss Bay, and if so would you be willing to help organise the event? 50 votes were cast.

42 votes (84%) - Bring back bonfire night in Wemyss Bay
8 votes (16%) - Don't bring back bonfire night

This poll contained an additional question, which was to ask if you would be willing to help organise the event. While a clear majority would like to see bonfire night again in Wemyss Bay, only 5 people who voted said that they would be willing to help organise the event.

Power Station

The question was: What should be done with the Power Station site? 76 votes were cast.

41 votes (54%) - Return to nature with parks, trees and walks
14 votes (18%) - Leisure and sporting facilities
7 votes (9%) - New school for both Wemyss Bay and Inverkip
6 votes (8%) - New housing development
6 votes (8%) - Other
2 votes (3%) - Business park

Over half of those who voted would like to see the area returned to nature, while next up was the option for leisure and sporting facilities with 18%. Perhaps surprisingly, the idea of a business park attracted only 3% (just 2 votes)!

A number of other interesting suggestions were also made for the power station. One person wanted to blow it up while another wanted to see a skate park. A hotel and leisure complex was suggested as well as the old favourite of a revolving restaurant on top. A suggestion for a nuclear power site was even made. I'm sure that would be popular with the locals! Finally, two people were in favour of keeping it as it is.