Vandals churn up path between Balloch Bridge and Lomond Shores
Balloch in the busy months when visitors flock to the village and the Bonnie Banks. The pathway is on the left of the picture.
By Bill Heaney
Scottish Enterprise has come under fire for the state of the path from Balloch Bridge to Loch Lomond Shores.
Scottish Enterprise promised to investigate and thanked those who have brought it to their attention.
Their spokesperson said: “Have SE completely given up on the walkway at Balloch from the tourist information centre to Lomond Shores?
“The pathway is an absolute disgrace. Strewn with broken glass. Surely, they have a duty of care?
“Children and pets are at high risk of injury here. It is also part of a national cycle path and there’s no way a bike can get through without tyre damage.”
Lorna Dennett said it sounded like teenagers had been taking advantage of the weather over the weekend
But Paul Robins said: “It’s been bad for months now to be honest, but has got worse.
“Even at the back of Sweeney’s ticket office is covered in glass. Not a good advert for a National Park.”
Lorna Dennett added: “I’ve not been over [there] since they tried to slip the Maid and there was very little litter then.”
Alannah Maurer, of the Save Loch Lomond campaign group, said: “Maybe a wee word with a local councillor – might not go amiss.”
The local councillor is Jonathan McColl, leader of the SNP administration.
Local resident David Ross said: “Spot on Paul, paths in general seem to be the target of those who think it’s fun to smash glass causing damage to bikes and injury to pets. Morons.”
The ‘path’ from Sweeney’s to Lomond Shores is like a Black Run for a mountain bike, it’s really rough, and not ideal for elderly pedestrians or children on small bikes.
The litter broken glass etc. etc is just another unsightly hazard . It could do with an upgrade .
The bad parkers at the Car Park at Sweeney’ cabin is yet another hazard they ‘overpark’ an already narrow walk/ cycleway, sometimes taking up half of its width .
The whole area needs a revamp .
It’s the old story about spoiling the ship for a ha’pennyworth of tar. So much good is spoiled because of bad planning and the inability to see ahead, just like the current roads and square revamp in the main village, Jim.