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RATS, TICKS AND DOG DIRT, LONG GRASS AND WEEDS MAKE LIFE A MISERY IN TULLICHEWAN

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Tullichewan Tenants & Residents Association’s dismay at state of the area

By Bill Heaney

It’s a sad day when you have to check your kids for ticks after playing in the local park or just outside on the grass in front of our house, according to Ali Bx, who lives in the Tullichewan area.

Like hundreds of other citizens across the West Dunbartonshire Council area, he is fuming at the way he has been treated.
“The long grass also stops people from even attempting to pick up after their dogs. Things are meant to get better not worse.”
Tullichewan TRA have received complaints from tenants and residents about the “budget savings” methods West Dunbartonshire Council Greenspace are using for grass cutting in public areas.
These pictures show one particular area next to the play parks at Bannachra Crescent and McColl Avenue.
Many parents are concerned that the long grass ise hiding some views of the play parks, obscuring views from some nearby homes, which means people can’t keep an eye on their children when they are out playing.
Tullichewan TRA say they understand the council’s financial situation but feel methods can be better planned out and managed.
But the matter will be raised yet again at their next committee meeting and walkabout.
The pictures on this page were taken just after a recent (restricted to the edges) cut.
Another resident, Catherine Mcgroarty, said: “It’s a sad state of affairs when the residents have to go out and cut the grass themselves so as the kids can play on the area, and the dogs don’t disappear into the long grass.
“Thank you to the residents that cut the area Bromley cres/ Campbell Cres. It’s much appreciated, but they shouldn’t be having to do this. Isn’t that why we pay our council tax?”
Fiona C Phillips asked: “How about all the Tics and rats it could be hiding? I have brambles taking over my garden from the council not looking after communal areas properly.”
She added: “I saw a big rat on Sunday night, coming down the lane at Bromley Crescent. Have never seen that before in Tullichewan.”
Shelagh Erskine said: “The whole place is a mess. I have stayed in Tullichewan all my life and never saw it it look this bad. How much money does it save the the council not to cut 6ft x 8ft bit of grass? The place is an eyesore.”
Angela Caldwell said: “It doesn’t help that they don’t blow the grass off the pavements (although if asked they say they do).
“Added to the fact they won’t be weed killing (not that I agree with that either)
this year.
“This is the reason the pavements are being taken over with weeds and why it looks so messy.”

West Dunbartonshire tenants’ organisation successful at national awards

Four members of the WDTRO; Harry McCormack, June Todd, Elaine Neeson and Billy Neeson attended the awsaards ceremony on the night.

The leading tenants’ organisation in West Dunbartonshire has been named Tenant Group of the Year at a national awards ceremony.

It’s a real shame that the residents of Tullichewan in Alexandria are being forced to live in the extreme cicumstances imposed on them by West Dunbartonshire Council (see story and picture above).

They took the top award as the Tenants and Residents Organisation (WDTRO) in the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) National Good Practice Awards.

As well as receiving the Tenant Group of the Year honour, they scooped an Outstanding Achievement Award on the night.

But had to go home to what now looks like a sink estate with its open spaces blighted by uncut grass, rats, ticks, weeds and dog mess.

They were nominated by staff within the Council’s Housing Service who they have regular meetings with and collaborate on a range of housing matters.

But not on grass cutting and keeping their Vale of Leven estate tidy and clean which West Dunbartonshire Council insist they will continue to neglect over the summer months this year.

The Tenant Group of the Year Award recognises a group who work to ensure tenants’ voices are heard when shaping housing services and/or influencing their landlord’s decisions.

They were nominated for work which they have undertaken to maximise funds in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The WDTRO made a case for the budget surplus [an underspend] generated by Building Services to be retained within the HRA and lobbied local councillors to support this position.

In March 2025, the Council agreed that a surplus of £631,000 for 2024/25 should remain within the HRA, a decision they maintain that will benefit every tenant of West Dunbartonshire Council.

The awards dinner was held at the Golden Jubilee Hotel in Clydebank and was hosted by comedian Fred MacAulay. Four members of the WDTRO; Harry McCormack, June Todd, Elaine Neeson and Billy Neeson attended on the night.

Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, pictured left, said: “In my time as Housing and Communities Convener, I have been in touch with West Dunbartonshire TRO on many occasions and these awards truly reflect the dedication they display to all tenants of West Dunbartonshire Council.

“Members of the TRO, with assistance from the hard-working Housing staff, spend time educating themselves in housing policy which can often be complex to understand. Their in-depth comprehension of this allows them to get involved in the decision-making process and maximise the opportunities for all tenants.”

Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Hazel Sorrell, said: “It is testament to the hard work of WDTRO that they have been honoured in this way. They have consistently engaged with Council over a number of years in order to improve the experience for tenants across the local authority area.

“I would like to thank them for their time and commitment in helping our tenants with housing matters. I am absolutely delighted for them and the Housing staff who provide them with support.”

Meanwhile, ticks are becoming a growing year-round threat because of climate change, experts have warned.

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that causes a range of health problems, can be spread to humans from some tick bites.

And a virus carried by ticks that can cause meningitis has now been detected in several areas of England, prompting health officials to remind the public on how to avoid being bitten by the tiny bugs.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is working with NHS boards and partners to enhance the surveillance of tick-borne encephalitis in Scotland.

Experts have said the chances of getting tick-borne encephalitis are low, but the tick species that carries the virus could be widespread across the UK.

And, while most people don’t develop symptoms, it can possibly lead to severe infections in the central nervous system such as meningitis or encephalitis.

  • The Dumbarton Democrat would have asked the Council to justify its stance on the withdrawal of grass cutting services from Tullichewan and all other areas in West Dunbartonshire, but they have banned us from speaking to them.
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