Time to take on the anti-social louts once and for all in Kirkintilloch...
Cllr Ritchie is pictured with crime-prevention books
FEARS over litter, graffiti and broken glass must be targeted, insists a concerned councillor.
East Dunbartonshire Council has been accused of just paying “lip service” to the problem.
Councillor David Ritchie claims there are ongoing litter and graffiti problems at the aqueduct at the Forth and Clyde Canal in Kirkintilloch.
He says there is a lot of graffiti, empty bottles and rubbish under the aqueduct, which runs from Eastside to Luggiebank Road.
Police revealed last week that vandals had sprayed a large amount of abusive graffiti on a house in Meiklehill Road, Kirkintilloch.
It was attacked overnight between Tuesday, July 3, and Wednesday, July 4.
Councillor Ritchie has also raised concerns about growing levels of rubbish and graffiti in Peel Park.
He said: “The council is just paying lip service to residents when it comes to anti-social behaviour problems in East Dunbartonshire – they have not tackled the problem.
“The tunnel and the park are really untidy, there is graffiti, rubbish and all sorts.
“The canal and the surrounding area is meant to be one of the jewels in the crown of East Dunbartonshire, we need to maintain it so people can enjoy it without seeing piles of rubbish and glass.
“Council staff are doing the best with the resources they have, but the administration has not put enough resources into it and that’s why we have the problems we have.
“I am calling on the council to clean these areas up and put more resources into tackling anti-social behaviour.”
A questionnaire launched by Councillor Ritchie earlier this year showed the main anti-social behaviour issues concerning residents are dog fouling, litter and graffiti.
David Devine, head of roads and neighbourhood services at the council, said: “The sandstone aqueduct at the Forth and Clyde Canal in Kirkintilloch is an area that we concentrate on, particularly during the warmer weather.
“The graffiti on the aqueduct has been noted and is on our graffiti programme for removal.
“Litter and rubbish within our parks and open areas also becomes a greater problem during warmer weather and we target resources to known hot-spot areas.
“Whilst anti-social behaviour is a matter for the police, in regard to litter I would urge the public to always be responsible and take a pride in their community and environment. When picnicking take litter with you, always use bins and always refrain from dropping litter.”
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
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