Weeds as tall as the children

Parents have been demanding action at Waterside, in Kirkintilloch, in recent weeks.

They claimed that broken toys - many of which are unsuitable for the over fives - combined with tangles of weeds were putting the playground at Taig Gardens out of action.

Mum-of-two Emma McBride contacted the Herald in frustration.

She said: “People who have lived in the village all their life are getting a bit fed up, to be honest. There are problems down at the Luggie with overgrown hedges for instance, but the swingpark is the main concern for me.

“And the middle of Taig Road is like a garden, so why not clear that area and put in equipment for the over fives?”

Her comments were supported on the Herald’s Facebook page.

Scott McIntyre said: “Park is an absolute disgrace. It is unsafe for young kids to be in.”

And Michelle Sullivan added: “The park is a disgrace to the Waterside community. Our kids are playing in the park with grass and weeds higher than them, rubbish bins not tempted, one of the chains on the swing disc is broke and fencing around the park is all snapped - complete eye sore.”

But within hours of the issue being raised by angry parents and the Herald, East Dunbartonshire Council had visited the site and agreed to carry out the maintenance. It is understood that a formal handover of responsibility for maintenance from Link Housing to the council was overlooked, meaning the work was missed by both organisations.

Grace Irvine, director of neighbourhood services, said: “We would like to thank Ms McBride for bringing this to our attention.

“A site meeting was conducted today (Wednesday) with members of the Waterside Community Council, Councillor Stewart McDonald and council officers to discuss and agree an action plan relating to the maintenance of the play area and surrounding open space. We are in discussion with the Waterside Community Council to look at alternative options for provision of equipment for older children.”