TRACY ANN CARMICHAEL
A would-be politician has blasted council bosses over the condition of an “eyesore” Renfrew park.
It comes as the Renfrewshire authority ploughs £1.25million into a scheme to upgrade several sites throughout the area.
But Jamie McGuire says “derelict” Alexandra Park appears to have been “forgotten” by council chiefs as they embark on a programme to upgrade similar sites across Renfrewshire.
He told the Express: “The park is basically derelict, it’s just been lying there.
“There are frames, but there are no swings on them, there’s broken glass strewn around, no bins, the concrete has come up in parts as well, so even if you were trying to take a wheelchair or a pram through it could be a major problem.”
Jamie, who is standing for
Labour in the Renfrew North and Braehead ward at May’s forthcoming council election, added: “The park is smack in the middle of Renfrew, it’s the first thing you see when you come into the town and it’s an eyesore, not to mention health and safety.
“There’s a play park fund to repair parks, but this has been left out.
“They have done other parks in Renfrew, but they have left Alexandra Park out. Maybe they think it’s too far gone, but I don’t, I think it needs rejuvenated.
“There’s a lot that could be done and I think the fact it’s right in the centre of town, it’s the first thing you see when you drive in on the main road, it’s literally right in the centre and it should surely be a priority to fix it.”
Renfrewshire Council declined to comment on the “political” issue during the “preelection period”.
It did, however, say new benches and lighting were installed in the Sandy Road park earlier this year.
Plans are in place to begin grass cutting from Monday in line with the authority’s agreed schedule of works, once efforts to complete a work order, which includes strimming the edges of all grassed areas in Renfrew, has ended.
Renfrewshire Council has been trumpeting news of its £1.25m programme to upgrade around 15 parks in areas including Renfrew, Erskine, Paisley and Johnstone.
Sites at Renfrew’s Tinto Square and Campbell Street are also included in the programme, which will see the installation of new play equipment.
Parks were selected for work on the basis of being in greatest need of rejuvenation and a further seven locations, including Robertson Park in Renfrew, were earmarked for work to improve their lifespan and appeal.