Lashing out at the ‘neglected’ Lade Councillor appalled at state of watercourse
A councillor has hit out at the state of Perth’s historic Lade - and says that it should be placed at the centre of the City of Culture bid.
Councillor John Flynn, who represents Perth City North, says during a recent walk he was left appalled at the current state of the Lade.
He has now called for a more committed response to the watercourse to ensure that it thrives..
He said: “I am appalled at the state the Lade is in. I walked between the Crieff Road and St Catherine’s Road, and the paths are completely overgrown.
“In some places the water is filled with refuse bins and shopping trolleys, it is appalling. The only saving grace is there is no dog poo.
“Many years ago the Lade was shut down during midsummer to clean it out but over five years ago the committee who looked after it was disbanded and the Lade has since been neglected.”
Councillor Flynn’s proposed solution involves a formal response, but so far it’s not come to fruition.
“I would like to see some kind of committee formed,” he told the PA. “I have raised this many times at council but nothing seems to be getting done. If they are serious about Perth becoming City of Culture in 2021, we have got to attend to all these things. The Lade should be a lovely relaxing walk.”
He has pointed to one success story as the marker for other stretches of the Lade, and says it could become part of the living, breathing spaces of the city if treated correctly.
“The Blooming Lade group behind the houses at Inveralmond have had many grants and are improving their part of the Lade. They have done a great job up there are there are certainly people looking after it. But if you come nearer into Perth, it is a disgrace, it has been totally neglected.
“If we want to encourage people to do more exercise, a walk on the Lade would be a great idea, and something which could become part of Perth’s bid for City of Culture.
“It seems to have been totally neglected and the Lade is something we should be addressing if we are serious about City of Culture. Some people will say there are other things more important in the bid, but we cannot discount it completely.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “The council’s greenspace partnership officer is in the process of working with interested community volunteers regarding how the Lade area can be improved.
These volunteers undertake excellent work in support of the Lade, which we greatly value.
“Additional funding of £50,000 for improving the Lade was agreed in February as part of the council’s 2017-18 budget and we are currently looking at how this can most effectively be used, Councillor John Flynn has called for the Perth Lade to get some tender loving care. Pic: Angus Findlay
with these volunteers’ input informing the priorities for the funding.
“We carry out regular litter clearance in and around the Lade including the removal of large items such as shopping trolleys when these arise.
“Vegetation on the banks is left to flourish and encourage biodiversity in this wildlife corridor in the centre of Perth. We would also anyone who sees waste dumped in the Lade to report it to us by calling 01738 476476.
“It is unfortunate that individuals choose to dump waste into the watercourse, which only serves to spoil the environment for everyone.” A wheelie bin in the Lade