Fears over flooding as job concerns continue

MARGARET Spencer, 75, is retired.

She said: “This is a good friendly area but its a pity everything is changing. There is an awful lot of vandalism now, there is always rubbish on the streets. At least the dog fouling isn’t as bad as it used to be.

“There are a few buildings being brought down, the place needs more community centres for all ages or youth centres for the young ones to keep them busy, that could lessen the vandalism as they would be otherwise occupied.” FRANCO Wilson, 50, who is unable to work due to a long term disability, said: “There are a lot of people who need something to do in Shettleston.

“Just because you are not employed doesn’t mean you don’t want to do some volunteer work and there is nothing in Shettleston like that.

“This a good community but the council need more centres for the young ones and the older ones especially with the bingo closing. There is a bit of vandalism as well.

“I always vote for SNP.” SHETTLESTON is a vibrant and bustling area, with a strong community spirit.

It has a mixture of residential and industrial spaces, along with Tollcross Park which is used by hundreds of locals every week.

The south extremity of the ward is bounded by the River Clyde, while the north boundary is marked by a main railway line running through Shettleston and Carntyne stations, towards the city centre. It is flanked by Parkhead to the west,. and Baillieston to the East.

The current leader of Glasgow City Council, Frank McAveety, represents the area, having won his seat in 2012 by securing almost 30 per cent of the vote. He previously represented Shettleston in the Scottish Parliament as an MSP.

In the previous council elections, the overall turnout for the area was around 33 per cent. In 2002, Shettleston was badly affected by flooding, and continues to fall foul of heavy downpours every few years.

This is one of the main issues which local people would like to see addressed, according to Pat McDonagh, who is the chairman of the Sandyhills community council.

He said: “There are quite a few problems with this as they are trying to open up the burn and re-route it through Sandyhills park.

People living close to the park are worried that this won’t stop the flooding. They also worry it will cause their house prices to fall.

“People do worry about jobs. Sandhyhills itself is a good area, it’s pretty quiet. There is a lot of transformation happening in Shettleston – a lot of new-builds.

“Shettleston is trying to change and bring it up to standard. There was a lot needed done and that was a real problem. There’s not a lot of jobs out there for young people too.

He added there are activities for young people and older residents, however more youth clubs would be welcome to keep youngsters off the streets.

He explained: “We have had some problems with anti-social behaviour, people drinking and things.

“There is a five-a-side football club over near the high flats and the Fuse cafe is a success. There’s a lot of young people who go in there to use the computers and adults come in to use them and learn IT skills.

“There are a lot of positive things happening but having more activities for the young ones would be a help.”

The Labour party will stand two candidates in the elections, while three SNP candidates will be hoping to secure a seat to represent the area.

Previously Shettleston has voted for predominantly Labour candidates – three of the party’s representatives won in 2007, and again in 2012. The SNP has only had one councillor in the area for the last decade.

However this year with Labour deciding only to stand two candidates, the political representation in the ward is due to change.

The Green party, LibDems, Conservatives and UKIP will all stand one candidate, along with a number of other smaller parties. ANGELA Glass, 29, is an unemployed mum-of-two.

She said: “Shettleston is friendly but I have two kids and there is nothing to do for anyone over five. years old. There is a lot of open space that could be turned into centres for kids to play in.

“There could be more development focusing on making the area better. Kids are bored and have nothing to do whatsoever, it would be good for the council to consider changing that. There is a lot of rubbish problems, especially with dog fouling.”