Parties link up in bid to tackle residents’ fears

THREE local councillors from Glasgow’s South Side are joining together to tackle issues residents feel are blighting their community.

Locals in Merrylee had appealed to their representatives after months of problems they claim are having a negative impact on their streets.

Environmental issues are top priorities for those in the area, with complaints of parking problems at local schools and a lack of rubbish uplifts common among locals.

All three local councillors – Labour’s Stephen Curran, Josephine Docherty of the SNP and Conservative Kyle Thornton – are now working together to address the concerns.

Mr Curran said: “The past year saw a rise in complaints about environmental problems across Merrylee.

“It was sometimes said that residents felt they were living in a ‘forgotten’ area of Glasgow, missing out on regular attention from key services. Recent snow and ice hasn’t helped that feeling.”

A meeting will now take place tomorrow evening at Merrylee Primary School as a chance to discuss these issues.

As well as the road safety and rubbish uplift concerns, locals have also pointed out a need for tidying and grass cutting in play areas and green spaces.

Flytipping and dog fouling are also likely to be high on the agenda, while the number of potholes in the area, a cause championed by the Evening Times’ #spothole campaign, is also a growing issue.

Mr Curran added: “We all know that the Council is facing tight budget pressures and bad weather makes it difficult to take care of roads and open spaces, whether it was this winter week or heavy rain last summer.

“We’re working together now to make sure local people have their say on priorities to improve the local environment in 2018.”

The 7pm meeting will also be attended by members of the council’s Land and Environmental Services team to hear any concerns from residents.