Part of West Highland Way being used as a drinking den
beginning of West Highland Way just before you get to library underpass is full of litter Under the Underpass, lots of alcohol bottles Photo Emma Mitchell 12/1/13
LITTER louts are ruining the appearance of the start of the world famous West Highland Way (WHW) which begins in Milngavie.
Local councillors have slammed the irresponsible people who use an underpass, underneath a bridge on Allander Road, as a drinking den and leave behind piles of beer cans and bottles.
Best described as Scotland’s finest long distance walk the West Highland Way runs 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie to Fort William. It opened in 1980 as the first official long distance footpath and remains the best and most popular long distance walk in Scotland, attracting thousands of tourists to Milngavie every year.
LibDem Councillor Eric Gotts, said: “It’s filled with the leftovers of people who have been there drinking.
“That area has been seen in the past as somewhere that underage drinking takes place and the police are aware of the problem.
“Obviously police officers can’t be there all the time but I’ve flagged it up to the council’s environmental team to pay regular visits.
“It’s very much part of the WHW and it’s important that it gets cleaned up as often as possible.
“People get a very bad impression if it’s filled with litter and that’s why we need to get more resources into the area.”
However he is not convinced that litter bins would be the answer, he added: “The type of people who leave this mess are probably not the type to use a bin.
“I’m also concerned that bins would be set on fire by vandals.”
SNP Councillor Jim Gibbons said: “Last year the council made a special effort at this location prior to the main walking season.
“I had a look at it this weekend and was shocked to see the vast quantity of ‘empties’. The council did not put the debris there, but I will ask for a ‘hit squad’ to get rid of the crap that has been left. These people should put stuff in the bin!
“The police and environmental team will have to patrol this location regularly. The Scottish Government has just announced £750,000 for path improvements to the West Highland Way. This is not the type of welcome to Milngavie I want to see.”
WHAT A MESS . . . empty beer bottles and cans left behind by thoughtless people. (Ref: m30042a and b)
DRINKING DEN . . . litter louts are leaving a mess behind after drinking under the bridge. (Ref: m30052)
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Weather for Milngavie
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
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