Condorrat underpass action call

Billy Lees, Cumbernauld Community Forum president, has said that the underpass between the Weavers Public House and Kirkview – highlighted two weeks ago by Labour councillor Danny Carrigan as an area prone to youth disorder – is also a danger zone in winter months due to flooding.

Councillor Carrigan said he had been inundated by residents in Condorrat complaining that the underpass was a frequent spot for under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour, making it a no-go zone for members of the public.

The councillor also demanded tougher police action on the youths making life hell for the people who live near the area.

This week, Community Forum President Billy Lees weighed in to the debate, criticising the state of the underpass during bad weather.

Billy said: “You can never get through that in the winter. It’s the worst tunnel I have ever come across. Every winter it’s the same.

“One of the biggest problems is flooding and its always been a bad underpass.

“I’ve said about it before but the flooding still happens.

“It’s the main one for people coming from Westfield to the doctors or even the vets.

“If you can’t go through there you need to go up to the main road.”

North Lanarkshire Council confirmed that a report had been made regarding flooding in the underpass earlier this year – but there was nothing to suggest that this was a continuing problem after council workers had been out to visit the site.

John Ashcroft, senior engineer (roads operations): said: “We received a report of flooding at the underpass in July this year which we rectified by clearing the gullies.

“We have had no further reports of flooding, however, in light of this enquiry from the Cumbernauld News, we will investigate and take appropriate action.”