Never make promises you don’t intend to keep, Provost. Residents can access the Council survey at: https://arcg.is/0yGuTG1
By Bill Heaney
West Dunbartonshire Council are squandering even more council tax money on yet another useless survey they have no need to embark on.
Unless they are living under a bed – a dormitory full of beds perhaps – the Labour council have decided to ask residents what they think should be included in their biodiversity plan.
The answer to this question is clear from the very first answer to the advertisement the council have placed to gauge public opinion, which was this: “Instead of spending money on this PR STUNT get the grass cut.”
Ann Small wrote: “I have just driven from Dumbarton to Anniesland and back and what a state this place is in with overgrown trees and bushes also the verges at side of the roads. You can hardly see any road signs or round corners it’s that bad.
“I’m all for biodiversity but come on the place is an eyesore.
“Maybe if councillors stopped having their wee hospitality perks I’m sure the money could be used to employ more gardeners.
“Even the kids play parks are a disgrace. You’re frightened to let the kids run about as the grass is so long god only knows what’s lurking about in there.
“What must tourists think when they are driving along these roads. Come on West Dunbartonshire Council.”
Mark Brown added: “Just get the grass cut. place was absolutely fine without the daft eyesore ‘bio diversity’ areas.”
David Voy said, tongue firmly in cheek: “There will be plenty of biodiversity when folk’s stop maintaining their gardens because they can’t afford the garden waste bin tax.”
Christina Tait said: “I heard fines will be coming if you don’t keep your garden to an acceptable standard
…. “
Rolland Barr replied: “I’m not surprised, another way to get money off us.”
Marion Fox said: “We are surrounded by hills, fields, parks, and gardens. I think West Dunbartonshire people are doing their bit for biodiversity.
“Now it’s time the council took a pride in their constituency and listened to their constituents … use some of the money you seem to have to spend from whichever budget it is and reallocate it to roads and grass maintenance. That’s a start. You have the views of many people…time to listen.”
The contributions here are from real live residents of West Dunbartonshire who pay their council tax and were once proud to say they came from here, not big, bad journalists whom you can ban for speaking truth to power.
Alison White added: “Biodiversity is one thing, the increased risk of Lyme Disease from tick bites is another. My kids have had three bites already this summer, the most ever by this stage of the holidays.
“The parks are literally unplayable with the length of the grass. Investment in Breval Park but for weeks at a time the grass is thigh high – it’s pointless!”
“You can call it biodiversity…. the rest of us call it cutbacks. Cut the consultations and cut the grass instead.”
Little wonder Provost Douglas McAllister has fled to London as the new MP for this area. One matter he won’t be raising in Parliament though is the length of the grass in Westminster Palace Gardens. Like the Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton, it will be delightfully trimmed to perfection. And just look at the notice below which he published before the last council election. He promised that Labour would restore council grass cutting in full and clean up our streets. Pass the sick bag, Billie.
Tracy Shaw said: “WDC are using biodiversity as an excuse. The areas look terrible. We have voted in our councillors for our areas. They should be making sure the areas they are voted in for are maintained and doing what their voters want and not what their party wants.”
Mercer Linsey articulated the concerns of dog owners: “I just had a vet bill for my dog as she hurt her eye in your biodiversity grass! So just get it cut, please.”
Christine Adam made an excellent point: “I feel for the council workers who must be facing some backlash because of the mess in the whole of West Dunbartonshire. This area is the beginning of National Park/Highlands and the place is busy with tourists.
“What must they think. Also whoever owns the Loch Lomond Outlets should be made clean and spruce up the building. A beautiful building being neglected.”
James McCafferty added: “Just get the grass cut, the place is embarrassing,” and Christina Tait agreed: “I am scared to let my dog in the long grass because of ticks.”
Willie Downie asked: “Why don’t the council pick their grass up which always ends up on the road in Silverton.”
Robert Macgregor raised the question of people trying to keep fit and being encouraged on the one hand and deterred on the other: “Cycle track barely passable between Dumbarton and Bowling,”
Graham Stenson said: “WDC you have had your consultation. The people have spoken. Cut the grass.”
Ann Pryce agreed: “Maintain the trees and verges. Gardeners who spent years keeping the place pristine must be disgusted at what is happening. Overgrown grass is not biodiversity, especially if the edges are sprayed with weed killer.”
Mandy Sweeney said: “Lyme disease is what it’s called and it’s an absolute eye sore making the place look like deprived and uncared for. West Dunbartonshire is full of hills and fields and there’s no need for this eyesore.”
Carol Banks added: “West Dunbartonshire is a disgrace. The route to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs for visitors and anyone arriving from Glasgow Airport must make people wonder what they have come to … overgrown grass, kids play areas a mess and boulevards and roundabouts 2ft high.”
Knowing that there are so many more people discontent about the way biodiversity is being handled by the the Provost and councillors, who are not volunteers and are paid handsomely for the work they do – or don’t do.
I think we will leave it there with these few words of common sense from resident Marion Fox: “We are surrounded by hills, fields, parks, and gardens and so on. I think West Dunbartonshire people are doing their bit for bio diversity.
“Now it’s time the council took a pride in their constituency and listened to their constituents. Use some of the money you seem to have to spend from whichever budget it is and reallocate it to roads and grass maintenance. That’s a start. You have the views of many people…time to listen.”
So there you have it. A biodiversity survey for free. The council will neither thank us for it or speak to us about it. Come on out from under your Church Street bed and comment. Prove you are not spineless and do what you are elected to do. That’s what you are paid handsomely for.
The new Labour MP voted for these cuts to Greenspace Services and the results are on view for the public to see.
The new MP has a sin to answer for.
All part and parcel to assist look the part of a run down area.
Oh and if you put the wrong stuff in your blue bin bin you better look out because the proposal is for council to issue fixed penalty notices.
That’ll shake things up a bit!
The previous comment is tongue in cheek. The Labour Council wouldn’t dream of placing fixed penalty notices (similar to parking tickets) on people’s blue bins. Or would they?