Council chiefs in Renfrewshire have been urged to “step in” to help rescue a Renfrew park from being a safety concern.
Jamie McGuire, a councillor Renfrew North and Braehead, is calling on the local authority to help clean up Clydeview Park.
The Labour politician says the park, which looks on to the River Clyde, was “once a valued space for the residents of Ferry Village” but overflowing bins and scattered litter are making it a blight on the landscape. It’s a long-running problem which has been raised time and again.
There is also a warning regarding the lighting of the walkways not working which Councillor McGuire says makes paths a “safety hazard” for those who use them.
“Bins throughout Clydeview Park are left to overflow,” he told the Paisley Daily Express. “Litter is also spilling onto the walkways and drifting into natural areas.
“This unsightly accumulation is more than just an inconvenience; it attracts pests, pollutes the environment and diminishes the quality of life for residents.
“Adding to this, broken lighting has left walkways in darkness, posing a significant risk to pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in the early morning and evening hours. This absence of lighting has rendered the park inaccessible and unsafe during these times, especially during the winter months.”
A community group named ‘Friends of Clydeview Park’ was set up by Councillor McGuire to stop the decline of the Renfrewshire green space.
The Paisley Daily Express reported in August 2023 about the alleged neglect of the park by the factors responsible for maintaining it, 4th Property Services. At the time, it refused to respond to requests for comment after residents of Ferry Village called for better upkeep of the park.
Now calls for Renfrewshire Council to step in have been made by Cllr McGuire as he says the landowners are simply “unwilling” to take action.
“The situation is worsened by the unwillingness of the landowners to take action despite numerous complaints from concerned community members,” he added.
“The residents of Ferry Village, who pay council tax like everyone else, deserve the same level of service and maintenance as any other community. It is unacceptable that they should endure these conditions due to a lack of accountability from the landowners.
“Given the clear health and safety risks, it is time for Renfrewshire Council to step in once more, as they have done in the past, to ensure the upkeep and safety of this essential community space.
“The residents of Ferry Village deserve a park that is maintained, clean, and safe — a place that enhances their quality of life, not one that detracts from it.”
Although the council do not own or manage the park, it says it is willing to help provide “short-term support” to address environmental concerns.
A council spokesperson said: “While we acknowledge the persistent issues surrounding the park’s management, the scope of services we can provide is limited.
“In summer this year, we carried out maintenance works in Clydeview Park as a one-off measure due to growing health and safety concerns. These efforts included grass cutting, panel edge maintenance, litter picking, hedge trimming, and bin emptying.
“As a further one-off action, we are willing to carrying out a litter pick and remove rubbish from the overflowing bins as part of our broader commitment to litter management. The service will complete this within the coming days.”
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