Bridge clear of branches
Councillor steps in to take action
Overgrown trees next to the bridge at Shieldmuir train station have been chopped down following an intervention from a councillor.
Residents living in the surrounding houses contacted Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig Councillor Nathan Wilson to voice their displeasure at the condition of the overgrown trees and the hazards that they had been causing.
The trees had grown to such a size that the branches were actually overhanging onto the bridge and were physically present on its infrastructure.
With the tress blocking visibility, safety fears were raised following recent incidences of vandals throwing bikes off the bridge.
The Tory councillor contacted North Lanarkshire Council to ensure they would cut the trees back, with the bridge cleared once again.
Councillor Wilson said: “The overgrown trees besides Shieldmuir Train Station were not only an eyesore but they were causing real practical difficulties for individuals making use of the station bridge.
“People were rightly having to think twice about crossing not just because of the size of the trees and their encroachment onto the bridge but also because of recent acts of vandalism that had been taking place.
“Things are looking night and day now and my constituents should be able to feel much safer when crossing.
“I would also hope that the increased visibility brought about by the removal of the trees will serve to play a key role in deterring any further acts of vandalism on the bridge itself.”
Last month, the Wishaw Press revealed plans were in place for a mural on the bridge in an attempt to deter vandals.
Craigneuk Community Council hoped to get local schoolchildren on board to try and design the mural.