Path row set to go before government
A decision on whether part of a public path in a housing estate should be closed has been passed to the Scottish Government.
Back in June we revealed that exasperated residents living in the Elmhurst Estate in Motherwell had clubbed together to have a high steel fence erected, blocking off a path that runs from Airbles Train Station.
Residents had already presented a petition to the council earlier in the year, signed by 131 people, calling for a section of the public path to be diverted. Having grown tired of the lengthy legal process and at “breaking point” they decided to take their own action.
They have been subjected to sustained antisocial behaviour from groups of youths making their way to and from Baron’s Haugh.
People living near the lane have cited terrifying incidents, one in which a youth jumped on to the railway line to escape a car trying to run him over, and another where a young man was chased down the lane with a machete, covered in blood.
They also claim groups of youths openly drink alcohol, with some seen carrying blades and baseball bats.
Cars and windows have been repeatedly damaged and smashed, and residents threatened as their lives are made a misery. A number have sold their homes and moved elsewhere.
North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) workmen quickly removed the residents’ fence following complaints from other members of the public who use the footpath, which is officially know as Core Path 281.
A public consultation was held on the proposal to re-route a section of the path and the council’s Environment and Transportation committee met recently to move the matter forward.
A total of 40 reponses to the consultation were received, of which 12 were objections.
A report presented by NLC’s head of environmental assets, Nicole Paterson, stated the objections necessitated that the matter be referred to Scottish ministers, adding that it was unlikely they would approve the closure.
She did, however, confirm that all of the concerns raised so far would be laid out in the council’s future presentation to the Scottish Government.
One disappointed resident who has been a victim of the yobs and asked not to be named, said: “It will probably take months now for the Scottish Ministers to decide, and they don’t think they will pass the proposal!
“How can a petition with 131 signatures be ignored due to 12 objections?
“The youths are terrorising people and this won’t go away. The residents will keep fighting for it to be closed off. It will add four minutes on to anyone’s journey at most, I’ve timed it.”
Stephen Colbert doesn’t live in the vicinity of the lane but uses it on a daily basis.
He said: “I’m surprised as I thought it had already been decided many months ago to block off access to the public.
“I know vocal members of the community have lobbied to close the path but there are others who have worked quietly in the background, such as myself, who have tried to come up with reasonable solutions that don’t disadvantage everyone.
“We have articulated our concerns to politicians and council officials and I’m pleased that they have listened and are trying to find a way forward too.”
Councillor Kenneth Duffy, who represents the neighbouring Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig ward, told the committee he had discussed the ongoing issues with some of the people affected.
He added: “The residents of the area have suffered from terrible antisocial behaviour for some time.”
Committee convener Michael McPake empathised with the residents, explaining that he had personally experienced similar issues many years ago.
He said: “My heart goes out to them and I hope the Scottish Ministers will see sense and do the right thing”
A council spokesman said: “Council officers have been working with Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the RSPB to address issues of antisocial behaviour in the area around the path, through joint school visits and direct engagement with young people, and this work will continue.”