Health bosses under fire
Cuts to medical unit’s hours spark concern The parched pond has an ugly tide of bottles A flagship park overlooking the River Tay and Perth city centre is being used as a drinking den, with its central pond littered with discarded booze bottles.
Locals and visitors say Norie-Miller Park - the floodlit gem of Perth’s hugely popular Winter Festival - is looking a disgrace now that summer is here. The council recently spent just over £10,000 on LED lights and spotlights at the pond to make a feature of the water garden when the evenings get darker.
But since a pump broke down, the pond has been left without a water supply and the levels have shrunk to a puddle, revealing discarded Buckfast bottles.
The waterbirds have moved on and the small fish
they eat have perished in the heat.
One person living nearby said: “Recently there have been crowds of youths hanging around there and you see police cars there quite often.”
Police Scotland has confirmed the park has been a draw for youths who have congregated in the long summer evenings.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of reports of antisocial behaviour in the area.
“Large groups of people congregating and making lots of noise is a nuisance for residents and causes concern. Residents, particularly older members of the community can feel intimidated and anxious by large groups. Where criminality takes place, we will take a robust approach and anyone found to be responsible will be reported to the relevant authority.
“Anyone with any concerns should contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency 999 or the Perth and Kinross community warden service on 01738 476173 or email SCT@pkc.gov.uk”
The minister from Kinnoull Church which overlooks the park, Rev Graham Crawford, said: “I don’t condone antisocial behaviour in any form, however it is natural for people to congregate in open spaces in good weather.
“But I do hope people will be tolerant of others and sensitive to the environment.
“My concern now is that the parched pond could be a risk to pet owners, hearing as I have of the dangers of toxic blue-green algae blooms in ponds and lochs all over Scotland.”
Perth and Kinross Council confirmed the park is not on the route of In Bloom competition judges, due to inspect the city’s greenspace offering on August 9.
Out walking her dog, retired resident Mary Ross complained: “I usually enjoy a stroll through here, but the pond at Norie-Miller Park is almost gone.
“There’s no water and you can see how it needs a good clean up. I feel sorry for the ducks.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “The pond in Norie-Miller Park is kept topped up via a pump in the River Tay, which needs to be replaced.
“We intend that the replacement will be carried out as soon as possible, and certainly within the next two months. We are also looking, if necessary, at the use of temporary pumps to refill the pond.
“In the meantime we will ensure any cleaning work to remove litter and debris is completed. It is normal to have a protective layer of sediment at the bottom of ponds, so we would only remove an excess of silt and mud if this arose.”