Park repairs plan is a ‘victory for people power’
JACK THOMSON LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
The main entrance of Kilbarchan Park has been locked since last May, when a local authority truck smashed into a stone pillar.
Councillor Andy Doig said it’s time something was finally done to fix the gate.
The Independent elected member put forward a motion at Thursday’s full council meeting, urging officers to tackle the problem.
He said: “It’s a matter of regret to me that this motion had to come to these chambers.
“In the summer of 2017 they were struck by a vehicle and damaged.
“Over the following months, questions were raised by Kilbarchan Community Council and other forums.
“Many of us made investigations. We were told the gates would be fixed and nothing was done. It’s also a point of principle.
“The Street Scene vehicle happened to hit the gates in Kilbarchan but it could have hit anywhere in Renfrewshire.”
Councillor Doig said the decision to now repair the gate was “a victory for people power” and an “early Christmas present” for the people of Kilbarchan.
He added: “The whole village will welcome this support for my motion as a victory for people power.
“My motion has given the council until the end of May next year to get the gates repaired and the crucial thing is that the gates will be restored to their full glory before the annual Lilias Day event on the first Saturday in June.”
Councillor Jim Sharkey said at the meeting: “There are many parks where similar incidents have happened.
“If we are talking equity, let’s get these three places fixed so that the next time the public are there they can see this has been done.”