Dundee City Council and a private company are at loggerheads over the maintenance of a park that has been blighted by anti-social behaviour.
Sandy Park in Broughty Ferry is falling into disrepair with litter, broken play equipment and hogweed, with city councillors calling on Greenbelt Energy Ltd (GEL), who are responsible for the park’s upkeep, to take action.
However, a spokesperson for the company said they could not continue to meet the cost of the frequent repairs needed due to persistent vandalism and added that the council has taken “no action whatsoever” to set up community patrols.
Neighbourhood services convener Kevin Cordell said: “The issues around the park have been around since before my election in 2012 and sadly they continue to this day.
“Play equipment is broken and cycle racks lie lost within the undergrowth. Locals want to see a park everyone can be proud of and they do not believe the current maintenance regime delivers that.
“The least I would expect from Greenbelt is a site visit for all interested parties to get their views across.”
Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan added: “I have offered to meet personally on site with representatives of Greenbelt Energy Ltd to talk through the many issues but they have declined to do so and I reiterate that offer and indeed request that the company do meet on site.”
A spokesperson from GEL said taxpayers do not pay for the upkeep of Sandy Park play area and that costs of repairs are shouldered by the company.
He added: “The current situation is not due to any neglect but because of deliberate and sustained vandalism and littering.
“Rather than scapegoating GEL, it would be more positive if they (the councillors) joined forces to facilitate actual action by their own council to stop the anti-social behaviour that regularly affects Sandy Park.
“In particular, we have asked for Councillor Duncan’s assistance in regard to setting up community police patrols and getting help from the council’s anti-social behaviour team.
“So far no action whatsoever has been forthcoming from the council.
“Instead, it is GEL that continually foots the bill for picking up litter and tackling dog fouling, as well as repeatedly repairing vandalised equipment and cycle racks.
“GEL cannot meet the cost of these repeated repairs every month – the perpetrators must be caught and prosecuted and this anti-social behaviour finally stopped.
“As both councillors are aware, GEL is very happy to continue to engage in dialogue with them – as they know personally, no email enquiry to GEL is ever left unaddressed.”
The spokesperson said maintenance contractors are on site every three weeks, with eight visits during summer and every two months in winter, picking up litter and treating the area’s hogweed problem.
